The Influence of Knowledge Management on Increasing Innovation and Competitive Advantage in the Private University Sector in Kuwait

Abstract

The main aim of current study is to examine the influence of knowledge management KM (Knowledge Creation, Knowledge acquisition, Knowledge sharing, Knowledge storage, Knowledge dissemination, Knowledge utilization, Knowledge retention) in increasing innovation capability IC and competitive advantage CA within private universities sector in the state of Kuwait. The study launched its aim through the aid of resource-based view theory which states that non-tangible assists of an organization help in supporting its journey to competitiveness and innovation. Through depending on quantitative methodology, a questionnaire was distributed on a sample of (303) respondents from private universities sector in the state of Kuwait. SPSS was used to deal with primary data depending on multiple regression and Pearson correlation. Results indicated the acceptance of the fact that KM has the ability to increase innovative abilities and competitive advantage within private universities sector in the state of Kuwait.  Influence of KM on innovation capability appeared to be higher with a variance of 94.9% compared to competitive advantage which was also influenced by KM with a variance of 92.3%. Results also indicated that there was a correlation between variables of KM and both variables of competitive advantage and innovation capability.  The highest relationship was between Knowledge sharing and Innovation Capability; whereas the highest relationship was between Knowledge storage and Competitive Advantage. Study recommended organizations should focus more on training and development in the field of knowledge storing and retaining so employees can have more awareness of how to deal with knowledge through their daily tasks.