Benchmarking, knowledge inertia, and knowledge performance in different network structures

ABSTRACT

A simulation approach is employed to examine the relationship between benchmarking and OKP, and how knowledge inertia in benchmarking influences OKP in different network structures. Results suggest that quick benchmarking (low knowledge inertia) and moderate mutual learning produce higher short-term OKP. Slow benchmarking (high knowledge inertia) and moderate mutual learning achieve higher long-term OKP. OKP performs better in scale-free networks than in small-world networks in the short period. However, in the long period, OKP is higher in small-world networks. Findings guide managers’ efforts in choosing the most suitable benchmarking and also suggest that managers should not ignore knowledge inertia.

KEYWORDS:

• Benchmarking
• knowledge inertia
• network structure
• knowledge performance
• soft computing

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Ethical approval

This article does not contain any studies with human participants performed by any of the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by the National Social Science Foundation of China (Grant No.17BGL025).