Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1 Department of Knowledge and Information Sciences, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
2 Sepahan Battery Industrial Group, Isfahan, Esfahan, Iran
Abstract
Introduction
Knowledge management is a planned and structured perspective aimed at creating, sharing, storing, and utilizing knowledge to enhance an organization's capability, speed, and effectiveness in delivering products or services. From the perspective of scientists and scholars, technology is the final product of research or technical knowledge that is transformed into a commercial product. Technology commercialization means the movement of ideas from research laboratories to the market. Innovation refers to the successful and beneficial implementation of creative ideas within a company. In today's competitive market, companies are compelled to utilize all their knowledge capacities and commercialize them through innovative strategies and actions in order to remain at the forefront. For this purpose, companies can achieve this by focusing more on knowledge management and establishing the necessary and standard infrastructure in this field. To take action and realize this important goal, a precise examination of the subject must first be conducted. In this regard, we will examine the impact of knowledge management on technology commercialization performance, emphasizing the role of organizational innovation mediator, so that managers can provide the results of this research to managers and decision-makers of companies so that they can reach a more informed decision. In the present article, the role of organizational innovation and knowledge management on improving the level of technology commercialization performance in Sepahan Battery Company, as one of the world-class manufacturing companies, has been examined to surpass other competitors.
Hypothesis(es)
HMain: Knowledge management, along with the mediating role of organizational innovation, has a positive and significant effect on technology commercialization performance.
The sub-hypotheses of the research are as follows:
H1: Knowledge management has a positive and significant effect on technology commercialization performance.
H2: Knowledge management has a positive and significant effect on organizational innovation.
H3: Organizational innovation has a positive and significant effect on technology commercialization performance.
Literature Review
In this section, previous researches are categorized and discussed based on thematic topics of knowledge management, organizational innovation, and technology commercialization performance.
Knowledge management
Many operational studies in this field are mentioned, including (Karami et al. 2018), (Tavalaei et al. 2021), (Morovvati et al. 2023), (Bavakhani et al. 2020), (Birami Erdy et al. 2019), (Birvanvand et al. 2021), and (Jiang et al. 2025). Knowledge management processes in this study – Discovery, Capture, Sharing and Application - are also adapted from the reference (Samie and Jazghani 2022).
Organizational innovation
Various studies have been mentioned, including (Khairgoo et al. 2019), (Kalkan et al. 2014), (Hervas-Oliver et al. 2015), (Maqsoudi et al. 2021), (Riaz et al. 2025), and (Harsono et al. 2025). In the present study, organizational innovation has been examined and measured based on the three dimensions mentioned by Mardani, including innovation speed, innovation quality, and innovation quantity (Mardani 2021).
Technology commercialization performance
Extensive researches have been mentioned, including (Kim et al. 2020), (Daniel and Alves 2020), (Daneshjoovash et al. 2021), (Kiani Ghale-Sard et al. 2021), (Abdinejad et al. 2022), (Etebari et al. 2021), (Satar et al. 2025), and (Al Halbusi et al. 2025). In the present study, technology commercialization performance was measured based on four dimensions - number of new products, faster time to market, future of the market, and effective use of technical knowledge - mentioned in the Reference (Kiani and Rafat 2021).
Methodology
The statistical population is the commercialization unit of Sepahan Battery Company with 100 employees. 70 questionnaires were used for analysis. The questionnaire includes 32 main questions, the number of indicators explaining the research variables, which were designed based on a five-point Likert scale from completely disagree (1) to completely agree (5). For validity analysis (convergent and divergent), the structural equation technique was used, using the partial least squares method, and to examine the reliability of the questionnaire, three criteria of factor loading coefficients, Cronbach's alpha, and composite reliability were used. In the partial least squares method, before testing the hypotheses, the measurement model and structural model of the research were examined by Smart PLS software.
Results
The results of the study using the structural equation modeling technique, using the partial least squares method, showed that knowledge management has a significant effect on organizational innovation, with a value of 0.508. Knowledge management also has a significant effect on technology commercialization performance with a value of 0.345, and the mediation of organizational innovation in the relationship between knowledge management and technology commercialization performance has a significant effect with a value of 0.373.
Discussion
In support of H1, it can be stated that knowledge management processes have a significant impact on technology commercialization performance and lead to more and newer products in less time, and will create a better future for the organization in a competitive market. In addition, the company can make optimal use of inventions and technical knowledge by improving its knowledge, which will improve technology commercialization performance.
In support of H2, it can be said that the establishment of a knowledge management system in the organization leads to greater speed, higher quality, and greater quantity in the organization's innovation, and thus helps the organization to surpass its competitors. In addition, the increased motivation created among employees by establishing a knowledge management system will lead to more knowledge sharing by them and the optimal application of knowledge in the organization, which in turn will lead to the creation of innovative ideas, strategies, and processes by them.
In support of H3, it can be said that the starting point of innovation and improving the performance of technology commercialization is achieving the quality and quantity of new products and services at a faster rate, as the main inputs that lead to the production of new products in less time using inventions and technical knowledge, and ensuring the future of the market. Given the inherent risk in innovative plans for technology commercialization, it is essential to pay attention to financial resources and their provision, such as attracting capital from industrial investment institutions, obtaining commercial loans, joint ventures, providing foreign investment capabilities, and receiving government support. In summary, the present study will address the concerns of managers in establishing a knowledge management system and an innovation system in strategies, ideas, and methods in order to improve the performance of technology commercialization.
Conclusion
It can be concluded that the survival of Sepahan Battery Company and the creation of a sustainable competitive advantage for this company depend on the continuous improvement of organizational knowledge and its management, providing a platform for the creation and application of organizational innovations, and, as a result, improving the performance of technology commercialization.
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