In a highly competitive and challenging business environment, knowledge has been recognized as the lifeblood of any organization. This study aims to explore the mediating role of organizational learning capability (OLC) in the knowledge management (KM) practices and individual ambidexterity relationship.
Data were collected from 883 employees across 42 pharmaceutical industries, comprising 28 indigenously owned and 14 internationally owned companies. This quantitative study uses positivist paradigm. Construct reliability and validity were established using confirmatory factor analysis. Study hypotheses and proposed model were evaluated using structural equation modeling.
The study’s results show that knowledge creation and individual ambidexterity were positively associated. Knowledge application and individual ambidexterity were positively associated. Knowledge sharing and individual ambidexterity were nonsignificantly associated. OLC mediates the knowledge creation and individual ambidexterity relationship. Similarly, OLC mediates the knowledge application and individual ambidexterity relationship. However, OLC did not mediate the knowledge sharing and individual ambidexterity relationship.
The findings’ generalizability will be constrained due to the study’s pharmaceutical focus and cross-sectional data.
The study highlights the importance of addressing an organization’s capacity to create and effectively apply knowledge. Fostering and sustaining competitiveness requires an integrated ambidextrous KM system, which promotes knowledge integration, learning and collaboration. The study offers valuable insight for policy makers, stakeholders and management of the pharmaceutical industry by highlighting the importance of a positive and supportive learning environment that encourages lifelong learning, thereby fostering dynamic and innovative capabilities.
This study offers a comprehensive analysis of how OLC and KM practices interact to influence individual ambidexterity. By evidencing empirically that OLC mediates the knowledge creation, knowledge application and individual ambidexterity relationship, this study adds to the body of existing literature on OLC, KM practices and individual ambidexterity.
