| dc.description.abstract | In this study we draw on Nonaka’s knowledge creation theory which includes four types of knowledge conversion modes: socialization, externalization, combination, and internalization. Knowledge spiral should be formed through diffusions at various levels such as individual, team, and organization in order to achieve sharing, accumulation and creation of knowledge. In this study we also measure the influences of information technology and social embeddedness on the four modes of “knowledge creation”: socialization, externalization, combination, and internalization. Information technology is more helpful to conversion of explicit knowledge. As for the conversion of tacit knowledge, only through embedded relationship can the information technology perform well in terms of knowledge creation. This is because it is difficult to formalize tacit knowledge, and it cannot be clearly presented by tools such as texts, images, or information media. Therefore in this study we believe there is a key mediated variable between information and knowledge creation, which is the embedded relationships among team members. In addition to prove positive impacts of information technology and social embeddedness on knowledge creation, in this study we will further investigate the mediator of social embeddedness. The results of this study show that:
1. New product development team performs better on the four types of knowledge conversion modes under better “embedded relationship”.
2. “Information technology” performs better on combination and internalization, but is has rather insignificant impacts on socialization and externalization.
3. Social embeddedness is an important mediator, meaning that information technology performs better on socialization, externalization, combination, and internalization through social embeddedness.
Later on there will be discussions with respect to these results of this study, and the practical meetings will be explained.
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