THE IMPACT OF THE SPIRAL OF KNOWLEDGE FRAMEWORK ON INNOVATION QUALITY AND CROSS-REGIONAL INTEGRATION IN INTERNATIONAL R&D TEAMS

Abstract

The role of knowledge in generating sustainable competitive advantage and innovation is wellrecognized in the literature. However, efficient innovation strategies require a balance between local and nonlocal exploration for new knowledge. In this context, the transfer and integration of tacit and explicit
knowledge play a fundamental role in the integration of knowledge across regions. This study proposes a
dynamic approach that highlights the importance of the conversion process that expands tacit and explicit
knowledge in both quality and quantity. Adopting a mixed design method of qualitative and quantitative
research methodology, this study verifies the role of the spiral of knowledge in the internationalization of
R&D teams, cross-regional integration, and the quality of innovation. The framework of knowledge
management process adopted in this research is a revised form of the Nonaka and Takeuchi model supported
by empirical verification. The empirical study focuses on U.S. manufacturing firms. Our research aims to
expand empirical research related to the role of intellectual capital in the generation of innovation and
identifies in detail the factors of the SECI model that positively influence the effectiveness and efficiency of
innovation