Human resource management practices in creating a committed workforce for fostering knowledge transfer: a theoretical framework

The role of organisational commitment and leader-member exchange in knowledge application during the COVID-19 pandemic

Purpose

This study aims to examine the role of organisational commitment (affective, normative, continuance) in influencing employees’ knowledge application behaviour during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study also probes the moderating role of leader–member exchange (LMX) in the association between organisational commitment and knowledge application.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a sample of 206 employees working in various private sector organisations in Brunei Darussalam. Structural equation modelling using Smart-PLS was used to test the hypothesised relationships.

Findings

The findings show that affective and normative organisational commitment spurred employees’ knowledge application behaviour significantly during the COVID-19 crisis. However, the moderating effect of LMX could not be established in this study.

Practical implications

The findings provide managers with insights into the crucial role organisational commitment can play in encouraging knowledge application in an organisation.

Originality/value

Studies exploring the enabling factors of knowledge application are scarce, especially in the context of a global crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic. This study develops a model and empirically validates the importance of organisational commitment for knowledge application amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. This study also provides insights for managers into how LMX can affect knowledge application outcomes, particularly during uncertain times.

The mediating role of knowledge generation between training and development of human talent and innovative performance

Purpose

This study aims to examine the relationship between training and development (TD) of human talent and innovative performance (IP) while considering the mediating role of knowledge generation (KG).

Design/methodology/approach

An explanatory design with latent variables was used, represented through a system of structural equations made up of observable and latent variables. The study had a sample of 1,572 companies belonging to the Colombian manufacturing industrial sector between 2017 and 2018. The instrument used in this research was the survey on technological development and innovation in the manufacturing industry EDIT IX. The statistical approach for estimating the parameters of the structural equation model (SEM) was the variance-based or PLS-SEM approach.

Findings

The results link the existing theory on the relationship between TD of human talent and IP with the empirical evidence in Colombian manufacturing companies. In addition, the research highlights the role of KG in the relationship presented, which leads to the conclusion that it is an essential factor for any organization today.

Originality/value

The findings obtained are practical use for the various agents involved in the management of manufacturing companies. At present, it is not only important for companies to generate good economic returns. It is necessary to focus on IP, which will favor the economic and non-economic firm performance, which involves the improvement in the quality of the products and services offered.