The Effects of Knowledge Integration and Organizational Trust on Knowledge Management and Innovation Performance in the Pharmaceuticaal Industry

• Main Authors: Jui-Yuan Cheng, 鄭瑞園
• Other Authors: Yau-De Wang, Ph.D.
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2002
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/63820779735493153037

碩士 === 國立交通大學 === 管理科學學程碩士班 === 90 === The Effects of Knowledge Integration and Organizational Trust on Knowledge Management and Innovation Performance in the Pharmaceutical Industry Student: Jui-Yuan Cheng Advisor: Yau-De Wang, Ph.D. Abstract In the new century of knowledge economy, the pharmaceutical industry in Taiwan is facing dramatic challenges because of the emergence of biotechnology. The public health insurance system’s pressure to reduce prices suppresses the industry’s profit margin. The government’s effort in establishing international GMP mutual recognition requires the industry to invest in the hardware and software needed for GMP validation. With the restructuring of the health insurance product market and the disorder in the product marketing channel, the deem prospect of return in the required investment has forced many pharmaceutical companies close down. The use of new technology and knowledge to create a unique competitiveness not imitable by others will enhance the survival of the companies in the industry. How to absorb and integrate knowledge from internal and external sources is a critical issue to pharmaceutical companies’ knowledge management. This study was conducted using a questionnaire survey to collect data from the pharmaceutical companies to examine the effects of internal and external knowledge integration and organizational trust on the companies’ knowledge management and innovative performance. The results from statistical analyses show that 1. When there is a special force of manpower allocated for external knowledge integration, the companies’ level of knowledge acquisition will be increased and capabilities for product and technology innovation will be enhanced. 2. Interdepartmental communication and problem-solving coordination within the companies will lead to a higher level of intra-company knowledge diffusion, product innovation capability, and innovative performance. 3. Following the standardization of manufacturing processes under GMP regulations, supervisors’ trusts of subordinates within the companies does not have effects on knowledge management performance. However, interdepartmental trust increases the level of knowledge acquisition, diffusion, and accumulation, and the technology innovation capability and new product development performance are improved consequentially. 4. Supervisors’ trusts of subordinates reduce the positive effect of interdepartmental integration on knowledge accumulation. This study discusses the causes leading to the above results and its theoretical and managerial implications. Suggestions to the pharmaceutical industry and future researchers are provided at the end of this thesis. Keywords: Pharmaceutical Industry, Organizational Trust, Knowledge Integration, Knowledge Management, Innovation Performance