Research on the mechanism of knowledge coupling affecting firms' innovation results driven by digitization--based on system dynamics methodology

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to build a System Dynamics model to reveal the structure and dynamics of knowledge coupling affecting firms' innovation results in the digital context. Design/methodology/approach Drawing on the recombined view of innovation, this paper divides knowledge coupling into two dimensions: component knowledge coupling and architectural knowledge coupling. Then, the authors build a system dynamics model to identify the interaction of knowledge coupling factors and use the professional Vensim PLE to conduct simulation analysis to capture the dynamic interaction of motivation factors in knowledge coupling system. Findings The results show that both technology resources and digital dynamic capability play positive effects in the mechanism of knowledge coupling influencing firms' innovation results, while organizational inertia negatively affects the process of knowledge coupling to achieve innovation outcomes. Originality/value This study develops a holistic system dynamics model to reveal and elaborate on the complex dynamic mechanism of knowledge coupling impacting firms' innovation results in the context of digitization and provides a theoretical reference for companies to effectively adopt digital technology to carry out knowledge coupling strategy.