Purpose - As the global market conditions become progressively more volatile and unpredictable, public and private organisations are increasingly pressured to rely on innovation and adaptability as crucial sources of sustained performance. Our study investigates the still underexplored link between organisational knowledge assets and contextual ambidextrous learning. Specifically, we study how different configurations of knowledge assets - also called intellectual capital architectures - influence an organisation's ability to simultaneously pursue knowledge exploration and exploitation. Methodology - We surveyed health professionals by means of a structured questionnaire. Selected respondents included physicians, nurses and technicians. Scales for each construct were derived from extant literature. The final sample include 165 questionnaires that represent a 63% response rate. Collected data were analysed using structural equations modelling (SEM) methodology. Originality/Value - The value of our research lies in the operationalization and the empirical validation of multi-item scales that capture the constructs of human, organizational and social capital classified in their specific components: Specialist and Generalist Human Capital; Mechanistic and Organic Organizational Capital; Cooperative and Entrepreneurial Social Capital. Also, drawing on the organizational learning literature we propose and empirically explore the relation between intellectual capital architectures and organizational ambidexterity. In so doing we contribute to the debate concerning how organizations can simultaneously pursue both knowledge exploitation and exploration giving birth to ambidextrous learning processes. Practical implications - Our study might have implications for managers of healthcare organizations in that it sheds first light on the responsibility hospital managers have to promote current practice improvement through a set of interventions aimed at increasing healthcare organisations' intellectual capital.

Intellectual capital architectures and ambidextrous learning. Evidence from the healthcare public sector

LONGO, MARIOLINA;MURA, MATTEO;
2011

Abstract

Purpose - As the global market conditions become progressively more volatile and unpredictable, public and private organisations are increasingly pressured to rely on innovation and adaptability as crucial sources of sustained performance. Our study investigates the still underexplored link between organisational knowledge assets and contextual ambidextrous learning. Specifically, we study how different configurations of knowledge assets - also called intellectual capital architectures - influence an organisation's ability to simultaneously pursue knowledge exploration and exploitation. Methodology - We surveyed health professionals by means of a structured questionnaire. Selected respondents included physicians, nurses and technicians. Scales for each construct were derived from extant literature. The final sample include 165 questionnaires that represent a 63% response rate. Collected data were analysed using structural equations modelling (SEM) methodology. Originality/Value - The value of our research lies in the operationalization and the empirical validation of multi-item scales that capture the constructs of human, organizational and social capital classified in their specific components: Specialist and Generalist Human Capital; Mechanistic and Organic Organizational Capital; Cooperative and Entrepreneurial Social Capital. Also, drawing on the organizational learning literature we propose and empirically explore the relation between intellectual capital architectures and organizational ambidexterity. In so doing we contribute to the debate concerning how organizations can simultaneously pursue both knowledge exploitation and exploration giving birth to ambidextrous learning processes. Practical implications - Our study might have implications for managers of healthcare organizations in that it sheds first light on the responsibility hospital managers have to promote current practice improvement through a set of interventions aimed at increasing healthcare organisations' intellectual capital.
2011
2011 6TH INTERNATIONAL FORUM ON KNOWLEDGE ASSET DYNAMICS (IFKAD2011): KNOWLEDGE-BASED FOUNDATIONS OF THE SERVICE ECONOMY
219
236
Longo M.; Mura M.; Spiller N.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11585/120623
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