Perception About Applying Acquired Knowledge and the Relationship with Work Performance

Abstract

Knowledge management is an important topic for different types of organisations, since one of the results of applying knowledge can be an increase in work performance. However, the process of knowledge creation and acquisition is complex and depends on several factors to make an impact on the performance of activities. This study aims to verify the relationships between the perception of knowledge value, acquisition and the impact on work performance in public organisations. The relationship between knowledge creation, organisational learning and work performance was also observed. An empirical study was carried out through a survey, using an electronic questionnaire as a data collection instrument, which obtained a sample of 49.3% of 136 Master’s graduates from a Professional Master’s Program focussed on public organisations. These graduates had gained knowledge that can be applied to work, addressing the use of the knowledge obtained in the Program and the relationship with their work performance. After analysing the research results using the PLS–SEM (Partial Least Squares–Structural Equation Modelling) technique, the proposed model was assessed and validated. The results support that when knowledge is understood as having more value, there is greater potential for acquiring this knowledge. Acquisition positively impacts knowledge creation, and this, in turn, has a positive relationship with organisational learning. Both knowledge creation and organisational learning positively impact work performance. Additionally, it was observed, through a multigroup analysis, that the relationships between knowledge creation and organisational learning, and between perceived value of knowledge and knowledge acquisition are greater for employees who had worked for less time in the institution and who were younger, identifying greater knowledge application, perception of knowledge creation impact and organisational learning by people who have worked for less than 10 years in the same institution.