Knowledge management and internal relational capital versus development of relations with environment

Abstract

In the current management conditions, relevant knowledge is considered a key source of competitive advantage. The competitive advantage of a company is now based not only on its internal resources, but also it is shaped by the results of its cooperation with the environment. Creation of relational capital activates potential skills and abilities and contributes to acquisition of knowledge and competences within maintained relations. Knowledge management and creation of relational capital essentially affect the growth of an enterprise. The aim of this paper is an attempt to demonstrate that enhancing internal relations in enterprise leads to improved company-environment relations. Conducted in 2018-2019, the study focused on relational competences in the creation of company value and the role of leadership. The study was part of a research project. It covered large companies operating internationally. The enterprises were selected based on their leading position in the branch and high innovative potential. Data were collected in personal interviews and a personal interview questionnaire was the research tool. For the implementation of the whole research project six hypotheses were formulated. For the purposes of this paper one of them is crucial: H: In enterprises are undertaken actions to improve the forms of and the tools affecting relations between employees with regard to their impact on relations with stakeholders. The study has established what methods of building relations between the company and its employees are used by the studied enterprises and with what frequency. Also, the analysis involved identifying kinds of activities for enhancing internal relations undertaken to improve company's relations with its environment and their implications. The results may be useful for other companies, because they provided information on the effective ways of shaping company's relational capital and the flow of knowledge.