Unlocking Innovation: The Synergy of Knowledge Management Infrastructure and Knowledge Management Capabilities in Academia

This study empirically investigates the effects of knowledge management infrastructure (KMI) on innovation in Pakistan's higher education sector, examining the direct relationship between KMI and innovation, as well as the mediating role of knowledge management capabilities (KMC). Using a sample of 285 academic personnel from higher education institutions in Pakistan, the hypothesized relationships were tested through partial least squares structural equation modeling. The results reveal that IT-based and organization-based KMI have significant positive impacts on KMC, influencing innovation both directly and indirectly through KMC. Specifically, IT-based KMI had the strongest direct effect on innovation, while organization-based KMI had a stronger influence on developing KMC. The findings reinforce the importance of KMI in higher education and demonstrate how KMI can effectively utilize KMC to enhance innovation in universities. This study contributes to the literature by examining the interplay between KM infrastructure, capabilities, and innovation in the higher education context, an area that has been understudied previously. The results have implications for university administrators seeking to foster innovation through knowledge management infrastructure and capabilities.