ارائه مدل مفهومی اشتراک دانش و شبکه‌سازی شرکت‌های دانش‌بنیان در زنجیره ارزش باتری ‏لیتیوم

Purpose: With the entry into the information and communication technology age, there have been significant changes in the field of business and companies worldwide. One of these achievements of the new era is the establishment of strategic communications and partnerships with other companies. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to answer the main research question, namely, "What factors affect the networking of knowledge-based companies in the lithium battery value chain?" and to examine the impact of the factors identified in Iran on the networking of knowledge-based companies in the lithium battery value chain by presenting a conceptual model.
Methodology: This research is applied in terms of purpose, description, and survey. A mixed method (qualitative-quantitative) was used to collect and analyse information. An attempt was made to combine quantitative and qualitative data to achieve a deep understanding of the subject, thereby increasing the generalizability and accuracy of the results. The content analysis method was used in the qualitative part of the research, and in the quantitative part, the structural equation modelling method and SmartPLS version 4 software were used. The statistical population in the qualitative part of the research included 11 experts and specialists in this field and university professors who were selected purposefully; the selection criteria were the experts' familiarity and knowledge of the subject under study and the history of experts' activities in the field of lithium batteries, which was considered valid for the qualitative part. Regarding the sample size, the interview continued until the theoretical saturation stage, and thus, after the eleventh interview, the data reached saturation. The interviews were conducted in person and semi-structured by one person. In the quantitative part of the research, the sample size was (72) people. The primary research tool was a researcher-made questionnaire with a five-point Likert scale distributed among experts in knowledge-based companies in the lithium battery value chain in Tehran, Alborz, and Qom provinces, as well as university professors. The questionnaire was designed based on the literature on the subject, interviews were conducted, and factors influencing the networking of knowledge-based companies in the lithium battery value chain were identified. In the first step (qualitative), we identified the factors affecting the networking of knowledge-based companies in the lithium battery value chain. In the second step (quantitative), the direct and indirect effects of the identified factors were examined.
Findings: The findings in this study showed that the variables identified in the first step (qualitative) are network structure, environmental factors (social, cultural, governance), knowledge sharing, and trust building between partner knowledge-based companies. Network structure and environmental factors are independent variables, and trust building between partner knowledge-based companies and knowledge sharing are mediator variables. After drawing the conceptual model of the research, the fit and relationships between the variables were tested using structural equation modelling with the partial least squares approach and SmartPLS version 4 software. The fit of the proposed research model was confirmed in three sections: measurement, structural, and general. In the measurement models section, two criteria, the reliability coefficient and Cronbach's alpha coefficient, were used to determine the reliability of the questionnaire. Values above 0.7 indicate acceptable reliability, and all obtained values were confirmed. Also, the results related to convergent validity confirmed convergent validity according to AVE values greater than 0.5, and divergent validity (correlation matrix, Fornell and Larker test) was confirmed. In examining the structural model, in which the relationships between variables were considered, the coefficient of determination and the power coefficient were investigated, and both coefficients were confirmed. In fitting the overall part, two measurement models and the structural model were considered, and the fitting of the overall part was controlled; according to the value obtained of 0.646 from the GOF formula, it showed a strong overall fit for the research model. Accordingly, network structure with the value of T statistic (0.706) and trust building between cooperative knowledge-based companies with the value of T statistic (0.294) do not directly affect the networking of knowledge-based companies in the lithium battery value chain due to the value of T statistic being less than 1.96. Network structure has a positive and significant effect on trust building between cooperative knowledge-based companies with the value of T statistic (25.880). Network structure positively and significantly affects knowledge sharing with the value of T statistic (2.828). Trust building between cooperative knowledge-based companies also positively and significantly impacts knowledge sharing with the value of T statistic (8.824). Also, knowledge sharing with T-statistic (2.093) and environmental factors (social, cultural, governance) with T-statistic (2.645) also have a positive and significant effect on the networking of knowledge-based companies in the lithium battery value chain. Given that Iran is a developing country and the speed of network formation in Iran (despite different cultures, unstable social factors, and complex governance factors) is slow in the bureaucracy supporting the lithium battery value chain, the formation of a network in this heterogeneous space requires systematic government support and legislative legislation and the role of compelling actors in this field. Environmental conditions usually occur related to industrialisation. When the lithium battery value chain in Iran is in the prototype and technology development stage, ecological factors are influential, but with a low factor load; this effect manifests itself significantly when the lithium battery value chain enters the industrialisation phase, and at that time it is necessary to form an ecosystem, and that ecosystem of external circles, which is laws, resources, policymaking, etc., shows itself strongly.
Research limitations: Every research activity faces problems and constraints, including the limitations of this research as follows: Since the variables of this research, especially trust, are individual characteristics, it isn't easy to trust the responses of individuals and their honesty. Research of this kind is based on collecting a lot of accurate information, which, due to the newness of the technology and the lack of trust and cooperation of some companies, presents the statistical population with limitations. This research is limited to knowledge-based companies active in lithium batteries and cannot be generalised to all knowledge-based companies in other fields.
Originality/value: In the era of information and communication technology, major changes have occurred in the world of businesses. One of these achievements is the creation of strategic communications and partnerships with other companies through networking, and this networking capability can help companies create and improve the structure of their business networks.