Organizational learning capability and organizational innovation: The moderating role of knowledge inertia

Abstract

The capability to learn is a critical factor for organization to grow and innovate. However, there’s no
research examined the positive relationship between the effect of organizational learning capability and
organizational innovation. In addition, employees solve problems with their prior experience and
knowledge as facing problems, that is, knowledge inertia, may hinder organizations capability from
learning and problems solving. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between and
organizational innovation, and understand the moderating effect of knowledge inertia in the relationship
between organizational learning capability and organizational innovation. This study collected 563 valid
questionnaires to analyze. The participants in this study were a regional hospital in middle Taiwan,
included nurses, supervisors and managers. The result showed that organizational learning capability
positively and significantly related to organizational innovation. Knowledge inertia moderated the
relationship between organizational learning capability and organizational innovation. The theoretical
and practical implications are discussed.