The role of non-structural and informal mechanisms of integration and coordination as forces in knowledge creation

Abstract

This study focuses on the analysis of the influence of organizational design variables on the creation of knowledge within the firm. The impact that enablers have on knowledge creation has been widely demonstrated and established by the relevant literature. Using this assumption as a starting point, this study will consider and explore the role that mechanisms of integration and coordination play in the creation of knowledge, considering enablers as intermediate variables. In this way, we can create a model of the relationships between these variables and contrast them with an empirical investigation of a quantitative nature, using a sample of 167 large Spanish firms. Despite the fact that the theoretical framework in question is characterized by a direct and positive connection between the standardization of work processes and knowledge creation, the results suggest that the relation is not significant. All the other coordination mechanisms, however, do have a significant influence on the creation of knowledge: standardization of skills through the autonomy enabler; standardization of outputs through intention; interventions for socialization through intention and trust and commitment; and, lastly, mutual adjustment whose influence is found in redundancy and variety. © 2007 British Academy of Management.