Evaluation of knowledge sharing and its role in organisational innovation using structural equation modelling: a case study of Civil Aviation Organisation

With the expansion of competition among organisations, the key factor in their lives is organisational innovation, the proper management of which requires a strategic perspective. In addition, the growth of innovation in the organisation depends on the tacit knowledge of the experts of that organisation. This research empirically investigates the relationship between knowledge sharing and its role in organisational innovation in the Civil Aviation Organization (CAO). In this study, 12 main hypotheses related to knowledge sharing and organisational innovation in the questionnaires were considered and data were collected from 295 managers of CAO, and LISREL was used to validate data and examine the hypothesised relationships. The model presented in this study; Personality, expected results, mental norms, perceived behavioural control, structural characteristics, commitment, trust, organisational culture, organisational environment, information, and communication technology were considered as exogenous variables that will directly affect the voluntary sharing of knowledge and demand-based knowledge. Findings showed that personality, subjective norms, structural characteristics, commitment, trust, organisational culture, organisational environment, information, and communication technology positively influenced voluntary knowledge sharing. Moreover, personality, expected results, perceived behavioural control, structural characteristics, trust, organisational culture, information, and communication technology positively influence demand-based knowledge sharing. Finally, findings showed that voluntary knowledge sharing has a stronger influence on organisational innovation and is more important than demand-based knowledge sharing. The present study highlighted that voluntary and demand-based knowledge sharing significantly and positively influences organisational innovation, and knowledge sharing and organisational innovation appear to be key drivers for gaining competitive advantage.