Araştırma Makalesi

Beyond Synergy: The Diminishing Returns of Knowledge Management on Effectiveness through Organizational Innovation under Boundary Conditions of Resource Saturation and the Substitution Effect of Intellectual Capital

Cilt: 15 Sayı: 1 30 Haziran 2026
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Beyond Synergy: The Diminishing Returns of Knowledge Management on Effectiveness through Organizational Innovation under Boundary Conditions of Resource Saturation and the Substitution Effect of Intellectual Capital

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Purpose: Drawing upon Resource Orchestration Theory (ROT), the current study aims to investigate the conditional role of intellectual capital in the effect of knowledge management on organizational effectiveness through organizational innovation. Moving beyond the assumption of positive synergistic amplification, this study explores how boundary conditions, including resource saturation and substitution effects of intellectual capital shape these dynamics across diverse sectors. Methodology: The nature of this study is explanatory, aiming to identify the boundary conditions of intellectual capital through a quantitative, causal-relational research design. To retain methodological rigor, hypotheses are conducted by controlling structural characteristics such as firm age, size and sector and were tested by using one of the moderated-mediation models, Hayes Process Macro (Model 7), which estimates a mediation model containing one variable that moderates the nexus between an explanatory (independent) variable and a mediator. The study utilizes software like SPSS 26.00 and AMOS 24.00. The data is collected by using convenience and snowball sampling techniques, non-probability methods, through face-to-face surveys conducted from January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2024. The research sample comprises 1,169 employees from various firms operating in different sectors. Findings: The results indicate that knowledge management positively influences organizational innovation (β=0.411, p<0.001) and organizational effectiveness (β=0.305, p<0.001), and organizational innovation also positively affects organizational effectiveness (β = 0.672, p <0.001). Intellectual capital serves as a moderator role in the relationship between knowledge management and organizational innovation, with a negative interaction term (β =-0.130, p <0.001). This result shows that knowledge management exerts a stronger leverage on organizational innovation in firms with low intellectual capital (Effect= 0.528, 95% [0.451, 0.604]), compared to those with high intellectual capital (Effect= 0.293, 95% CI [0.198, 0.389]), points out diminishing marginal returns. Furthermore, the moderated mediation index is negative and significant (index= -0.087, (95% CI [-0.128, -0.046]). The index of moderated mediation confirms that the partial complementary mediating role of organizational innovation is conditional on the level of intellectual capital. In particular, the indirect effect of knowledge management on organizational effectiveness is found to be stronger in firms with low intellectual capital (indirect effect= 0.354, 95% CI [0.300, 0.413]), compared to those with high intellectual capital level (indirect effect = 0.197, 95% CI [0.120, 0.270]), and this indirect effect diminishes as intellectual capital stocks increase (diminishing marginal returns). This observed negative interaction between knowledge management and intellectual capital has revealed a substitution effect rather than the traditional synergistic complementary assumption. Additionally, knowledge management acts as a vital compensatory mechanism for firms with low intellectual capital. These results remain robust across diverse organizational contexts after controlling for firm age, size, and sector (p>0.05). Originality: In contrast to the synergistic perspective of Resource Orchestration Theory (ROT), the current research introduces a boundary condition on the generally linear and positive nexus between intellectual capital, knowledge management, organizational innovation, and organizational effectiveness, by pointing toward a conditional dynamic effect dependent on intellectual capital. Thus, the study provides a novel contribution to literature by viewing intellectual capital not merely as a resource stock but also defining it as a resource saturation threshold that determines the effectiveness of knowledge management. Another novelty of the research is its emphasis that the impact of knowledge management processes on organizational innovation and effectiveness is subject to the principle of diminishing marginal returns, highlighting that at high levels of intellectual capital, knowledge management and intellectual capital begin to substitute for one another rather than acting as complements synergistically. In this vein, the research enriches ROT by empirically proving that as intellectual capital increases, the positive impact of knowledge management on organizational innovation and effectiveness diminishes (negative moderation), thereby drawing attention to the vital importance of the resource-mechanism balance for managers. Methodologically, this study differentiates itself by utilizing Hayes’ Process Macro Model 7 to concurrently assess mediation and moderation mechanisms by systematically testing the research model under the control of structural factors including firm size, age, and sector. Thus, the research ensures the robustness of the findings. This comprehensive methodology provides evidence that the proposed theoretical framework is valid across various organizational contexts and operates independently of particular firm characteristics. Jel Codes: D83, J240, L25, M12, O31.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Etik Beyan

Sırnak University Ethics Committee has accepted the survey's ethical compliance, dated January 25, 2022, with the reference number E-74546226-050.03-28186, Decision No: 2022/10.

Kaynakça

  1. Abd Rahman, A., Imm Ng, S., Sambasivan, M., & Wong, F. (2013). Training and organizational effectiveness: Moderating role of knowledge management process. European Journal of Training and Development, 37(5), 472-488.
  2. Abou-Moghli, A. (2025). The interplay between knowledge management and organizational performance measurement through the mediating effect of innovation capability. Knowledge and Performance Management, 9(1), 45-61.
  3. Abualoush, S., Masa'deh, R. E., Bataineh, K., & Alrowwad, A. A. (2018). The role of knowledge management process and intellectual capital as intermediary variables between knowledge management infrastructure and organization performance. Interdisciplinary Journal of Information, Knowledge, and Management, 13, 279-309.
  4. Akpinar, A. T., & Akdemir, A. (1999). Intellectual capital. Third European Conference, 332-340. Alcorta, L., Tomlinson, M., & Liang, A. T. (2009). Knowledge generation and innovation in manufacturing firms in China. Industry and Innovation, 16(4-5), 435-461.
  5. Alhamoudi, S. (2023). Intellectual capital in knowledge management organizations. Economics, 10(4), 178-186.
  6. Alkhatib, A. W., & Valeri, M. (2024). Can intellectual capital promote the competitive advantage? Service innovation and big data analytics capabilities in a moderated mediation model. European Journal of Innovation Management, 27(1), 263-289.
  7. Alrowwad, A. A., Abualoush, S. H., & Masa'deh, R. E. (2020). Innovation and intellectual capital as intermediary variables among transformational leadership, transactional leadership, and organizational performance. Journal of Management Development, 39(2), 196-222.
  8. Amaya, N., Bernal-Torres, C. A., Nicolás-Rojas, Y. W., & Pando-Ezcurra, T. T. (2024). Role of internal resources on the competitive advantage building in a knowledge-intensive organisation in an emerging market. VINE Journal of Information and Knowledge Management Systems, 54(5), 1153-1169.

Ayrıntılar

Birincil Dil

İngilizce

Konular

İnsan Kaynakları Yönetimi

Bölüm

Araştırma Makalesi

Yazarlar

Yayımlanma Tarihi

30 Haziran 2026

Gönderilme Tarihi

21 Mart 2025

Kabul Tarihi

18 Nisan 2026

Yayımlandığı Sayı

Yıl 2026 Cilt: 15 Sayı: 1

Kaynak Göster

APA
Aslan, A. (2026). Beyond Synergy: The Diminishing Returns of Knowledge Management on Effectiveness through Organizational Innovation under Boundary Conditions of Resource Saturation and the Substitution Effect of Intellectual Capital. Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management, 15(1), 11-62. https://izlik.org/JA83MJ25SH
AMA
1.Aslan A. Beyond Synergy: The Diminishing Returns of Knowledge Management on Effectiveness through Organizational Innovation under Boundary Conditions of Resource Saturation and the Substitution Effect of Intellectual Capital. JEIM. 2026;15(1):11-62. https://izlik.org/JA83MJ25SH
Chicago
Aslan, Ayşe. 2026. “Beyond Synergy: The Diminishing Returns of Knowledge Management on Effectiveness through Organizational Innovation under Boundary Conditions of Resource Saturation and the Substitution Effect of Intellectual Capital”. Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management 15 (1): 11-62. https://izlik.org/JA83MJ25SH.
EndNote
Aslan A (01 Haziran 2026) Beyond Synergy: The Diminishing Returns of Knowledge Management on Effectiveness through Organizational Innovation under Boundary Conditions of Resource Saturation and the Substitution Effect of Intellectual Capital. Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management 15 1 11–62.
IEEE
[1]A. Aslan, “Beyond Synergy: The Diminishing Returns of Knowledge Management on Effectiveness through Organizational Innovation under Boundary Conditions of Resource Saturation and the Substitution Effect of Intellectual Capital”, JEIM, c. 15, sy 1, ss. 11–62, Haz. 2026, [çevrimiçi]. Erişim adresi: https://izlik.org/JA83MJ25SH
ISNAD
Aslan, Ayşe. “Beyond Synergy: The Diminishing Returns of Knowledge Management on Effectiveness through Organizational Innovation under Boundary Conditions of Resource Saturation and the Substitution Effect of Intellectual Capital”. Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management 15/1 (01 Haziran 2026): 11-62. https://izlik.org/JA83MJ25SH.
JAMA
1.Aslan A. Beyond Synergy: The Diminishing Returns of Knowledge Management on Effectiveness through Organizational Innovation under Boundary Conditions of Resource Saturation and the Substitution Effect of Intellectual Capital. JEIM. 2026;15:11–62.
MLA
Aslan, Ayşe. “Beyond Synergy: The Diminishing Returns of Knowledge Management on Effectiveness through Organizational Innovation under Boundary Conditions of Resource Saturation and the Substitution Effect of Intellectual Capital”. Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management, c. 15, sy 1, Haziran 2026, ss. 11-62, https://izlik.org/JA83MJ25SH.
Vancouver
1.Ayşe Aslan. Beyond Synergy: The Diminishing Returns of Knowledge Management on Effectiveness through Organizational Innovation under Boundary Conditions of Resource Saturation and the Substitution Effect of Intellectual Capital. JEIM [Internet]. 01 Haziran 2026;15(1):11-62. Erişim adresi: https://izlik.org/JA83MJ25SH