Knowledge creation in a supply chain

Purpose – This paper aims to analyze how organizational conditions, technology adoption, supplier relationship management and customer relationship management affect knowledge creation through socialization-externalization combination, internalization (SECI) modes, and various ba, as proposed by Nonaka and Konno, in a supply chain. Design/methodology/approach – A qualitative inquiry with thematic analysis, which focuses on a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) panel manufacturer and an integrated circuits (IC) packaging and testing manufacturer, is presented in order to identify how these key factors affect knowledge creation in a supply chain environment through the SECI modes and ba. Findings – The results show that these critical factors facilitate different types of knowledge conversion process in order to achieve successful knowledge creation in a supply chain. Knowledge of the significant factors that were found in this study may be applicable to countries or areas such as Hong Kong, Korea, Singapore or other developing countries, whose dominant businesses are similar to the original equipment manufacturers (OEMs)/ original design manufacturers (ODMs) in Taiwan. Research limitations/implications – This paper considers the case study only as one empirical illustration of many other possible implementation processes. The study does not assume that these companies are a paradigm or that the specific situation is applicable to all other business enterprises. Future researchers interested in this field are therefore encouraged to triangulate its findings by examining variables generated from this study. Originality/value – This study employs a quantitative approach to investigate critical knowledge creation factors for supply chain performance. Through empirical study, a better understanding of the dynamics of knowledge creation in a supply chain can be gained.