Unravelling the link between knowledge management and supply chain integration: an empirical study

Abstract

Abstract This study examines the link between knowledge acquisition and dissemination and supply chain integration and the contingent effects of cost and innovation orientation on the link in the context of Chinese manufacturers by using the moderated regression analysis. The results suggest that knowledge acquisition and dissemination exert significant effects on supply chain integration between manufacturers and their suppliers. It is also suggested that strategic organisational behaviours (i.e. cost and innovation orientation) moderate the relationship between knowledge management and supply chain integration. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed and an agenda for future research is addressed. Keywords: knowledge managementsupply chain integrationmanufacturercost orientationinnovation orientation Acknowledgements The paper was supported by National Social Science Fund of China (Grant No. 12&ZD098, 11&ZD142, 10AZD006), National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 70972108 and 71072001), Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation for Distinguished Young Scholars (Grant No. LR12G02001), and Fudan University '985' Fund (Grant No. 2011SHKXZD007).