Untangling knowledge co-creation dynamics in collaborative environments: a moderating-mediating perspective

Human society’s transition into a knowledge society has heightened the significance of knowledge co-creation for socio-economic advancement to foster competitiveness. This study investigates the rationalization of an organization’s ability to transmit, absorb, and transform information into collaborative knowledge co-creation. A conceptual research model of knowledge co-creation was proposed, and the hypothesis was tested by structural equation modeling and bootstrap tests. A two-stage study design was used to collect data via a structured questionnaire. The results indicate that both knowledge diffusion and absorption ability positively affect knowledge co-creation and diffusion. The situational factors and knowledge transformational ability significantly impact knowledge co-creation and diffusion. Furthermore, knowledge stickiness negatively moderates the relationship between knowledge diffusion, absorption ability, and knowledge co-creation. Similarly, knowledge diffusion partially mediates the relationship between knowledge absorption ability and co-creation, with this mediation being regulated by knowledge stickiness. This study provides valuable insights for organizations to collaborate more effectively in co-creative activities and leverage their contributions to enhance value propositions and promote sustainable growth. It also extends knowledge co-creation theory from the knowledge diffusion perspective and provides management insights to improve knowledge co-creation performance.