Knowledge exploration and ICT knowledge exploitation through human resource management

Purpose The purpose of the study is to assess the relationships among human resource management (HRM), information and communication technology (ICT), knowledge exploitation and knowledge exploration. Design/methodology/approach To reach the study’s goal, The authors applied a quantitative methodology involving ordinary least squares on a sample of 129 Italian firms. Findings Results confirm a direct and significant effect of HRM practices on knowledge exploration and a moderation effect of ICT knowledge exploitation on the relationship between HRM practices and knowledge exploration. Originality/value The relationship between knowledge management (KM) and HRM is relevant given that HRM can affect organizational culture and the management of strategic knowledge within firms, which is a primary resource to achieve better positioning in the markets. Nevertheless, the implicit link between KM and HRM has been theoretically suggested, but it requires further exploration, in particular through quantitative analysis.