MODERATING EFFECT OF LEARNING ORIENTATION ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT AND ORGANISATIONAL RESILIENCE AMONG PLASTIC MANUFACTURING FIRMS IN SOUTHWEST, NIGERIA

Abstract

The internal and external environments of organisations frequently create disturbances, conflicts and crises that deter smooth and effective operations requiring them to remain adaptive and resilient to recover from adverse effects. While numerous studies have established a relationship between knowledge management and organisational resilience including various mediating effects, a significant gap exists in the literature regarding the moderating influence of learning orientation. Consequently, this study examines the moderating effect of learning orientation on the relationship between knowledge management and organisational resilience among plastic manufacturing firms in Southwest, Nigeria. Using a survey design, data were collected through a structured questionnaire from 195 firms determined using the Yamane formula. Structural equation modeling was employed for inferential data analysis. The model exhibited a strong goodness-of-fit revealing an R² value of 0.69. The findings established that knowledge management practices exert a significant positive effects on organisational resilience. Regarding the moderating effect, learning orientation significantly and positively moderates the relationships between knowledge acquisition, knowledge creation and organisational resilience. In contrast, it demonstrated a positive but insignificant moderating effect on the relationships involving knowledge sharing and storage. The study recommended that management of the firms should prioritize active knowledge processes by investing in systems that encourage continuous acquisition, creation and sharing while also cultivating a robust learning orientation characterized by organisational open-mindedness.