Empirical Analysis of the Influence of Tourism Industry Knowledge Management Activities on Knowledge Management Efficiency

관광산업에서의 지식경영활동과 지식경영효율성 향상에 관한 실증연구

Recent trends in business are characterized by recognition of the importance of knowledge assets. Especially, this phenomenon is receiving more momentum as our society goes digital rapidly. The concept of Knowledge Management has long been used as an effective way of restructuring the management process of a firm. In literature regarding knowledge management, a number of successful cases were reported, where knowledge-based management activities could dramatically enhance a firm's strategic performance for years. However, there exists very little research investigating the effect of knowledge management on corporate competitiveness. Researchers as well as practitioners need more rigorous results about such issues, especially how much the knowledge management strategic initiatives may have an influence on the firm's competitiveness. In this sense, we need an empirical study adopting statistical approaches due to the existence of abundant knowledge management case studies. To fill this research void, this study proposes a research model testing whether knowledge management activities could improve corporate competitiveness. We collected 321 valid questionnaires from participants in knowledge management activities in the tourism industry and applied a structural equation model. Empirical results showed that knowledge management activities have a positive impact on knowledge management efficiency and finally corporate competitiveness. We hope that this study will shed light on further rigorous studies considering tourism industry as a major strategic activity.