Knowledge Management And Innovation: A Case Study Of Kenya's Jua Kali Metal Fabricators

Abstract

How has the rising advocacy of Knowledge Management and Innovation impacted the Jua Kali Metal Fabrication Industry? This study adopts a utilitarian perspective of KM and investigates KM practices among jua kali metal fabricators as attendant factors in influencing innovation in the industry. It focuses on four knowledge management practices: knowledge creation, knowledge application, knowledge preservation and knowledge sharing, and assesses the impact each, singularly and in collaboration with the other practices, have on innovation in the form of improved and new product development. It also explores the facilitative role of technology in the link between knowledge management and innovation in the sector. The study is mainly anchored on the Resource Based View, the Knowledge Based View and the Human Capital Theory all of which underscore the importance of investing in people for innovation. To elucidate the multifaceted nature of knowledge, the study adopts Polanyi' s Semiotic Distinction of Knowledge and Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligence. The study targeted all'jua kali metal fabricators operating in fixed business premises in Kenya's urban areas. A sample of 385 artisans was drawn through multi-stage mixed sampling scheme. Data was mainly collected through an orally administered questionnaire and by observation. Inferential statistics was used to test the generated hypotheses and make inferences about the study populations with respect to the research problem. The findings of the study revealed that there are informal knowledge management practices among jua kali metal fabricators and that these practices collectively bear upon innovation in the sector. Innovation is typically incremental; taking the form of product improvement. New innovation generally takes the form of import substitution. Nevertheless, there are traces of entirely novel innovations borne of the artisans' ingenuity. The study also established that distinct knowledge management practices have differing influence on either form of innovation. Knowledge preservation impacts incremental innovation most strongly. Knowledge sharing and knowledge creation have not a practically significant influence on this type of innovation. Conversely, new innovation is mostly accounted for by knowledge creation. Knowledge preservation and knowledge' sharing have not a practically significant influence on new innovation. Though at a moderate level, knowledge application enhances both forms of innovation. Quite incongruously, knowledge sharing was found not to have any significant impact on either form of innovation. Technology was found to moderate the link between knowledge management and innovation in such a way that the relationship improved with increased investment in technology. Innovation in the sector has itself been constrained by the prevalent knowledge management practices, a low adoption of modem technology, and an uncertainty of markets for new innovations, among other factors. Based on these findings, the study recommends increased focus not only on capital accumulation, but also on knowledge management practices in the sector. Particular focus must be given to knowledge creation and knowledge application. The rampant jua kali technology needs to be replaced with modem technology, tools and machinery. Purposeful efforts must also be made by all stakeholders to open up new markets for jua kali products. The current National Government Policy Initiatives to spur innovation in the informal sector need also to be reviewed to make them more relevant to the practicing jua kali artisan.