Knowledge Rigidity Theory And Its Application Research

This thesis focuses on knowledge rigidity theory and its application. Based on definition and feature description, the precipitating effect of knowledge time-effectiveness, increasing effectiveness and sunk cost effect in the knowledge selection mechanism on the formation of firms’knowledge rigidity is analysed. The knowledge time-effectiveness determines lifecycle of the knowledge rigidity while the rigidity degree is enhanced by increasing effectiveness of that knowledge. At the end of the lifecycle, combining with sunk cost theory, the author analyses the evolution or inhibition of the knowledge rigidity through knowledge selection mechanism based on the Technology Acceptance Model. On the basis of precipitating factors analysis, this thesis further elaborates on the formation processes of knowledge rigidity influenced by the above three factors. Two typical cases of Baoshan Iron&Steel Corporation and STU Corporation are analysed by following the feature and precipitating factor analysis framework of knowledge rigidity. Through detailed study on definition, feature, cause and formation processes of firms’knowledge rigidity, the knowledge rigidity theory is established systematically.Not only making firms lock-into internal specific knowledge, firms’knowledge rigidity also influences their knowledge transfer and inhibits new technology adoption. Based on theoretical analysis on its features and precipitating factors, this thesis further studies the formation and effect mechanism of knowledge rigidity by combining its influence on firms’ knowledge transfer and knowledge innovation. This research would extend the knowledge rigidity theory. Specifically, by applying the system dynamics modeling, the author proposes a system dynamics model of knowledge rigidity. The model is composed of knowledge rigidity formation module, knowledge rigidity impact module and knowledge change decision module. Both behavioral trends of key variables like firms’knowledge rigidity and knowledge change intention and the influence of factors like knowledge innovation are investigated detailedly. In addition, by setting three scenarios as innovative, intermediate and conservative firms, the author conduets a simulation research on the difference of their knowledge rigidity formation and impact. According to the simulation results, firms can control their degree of knowledge rigidity by adjusting influencing factors like knowledge effectiveness expectation and knowledge change intention. Some appropriate countermeasurcs are proposed to help firms conduct knowledge rigidity management.Based on above theoretical research, this thesis applies the knowledge rigidity theory to elaborate on the practical problems of domestic automotive firms’ new energy technology adoption and knowledge transfer in industrial clusters. Combined with knowledge rigidity analysis, joining with government subsidy policy and carbon emission restriction designing, this thesis develops a system dynamic model simulating the adoption of new energy automobile technology in the knowledge rigidity perspective. According to the simulation results, the knowledge rigidity inhibits automotive firms’ adoption intention of new energy technology obviously. In case proper carbon emission restriction policy can be made by government, the mass production of new energy vehicles would be promoted effectively. And this strategy has a better effect than the current subsidy policy. To conduct the research on industrial cluster knowledge transfer in the knowledge rigidity perspective, this thesis sets state variables of individual firm in clusters, like knowledge rigidity and knowledge absorptive capacity. Furthermore, the author designs knowledge rigidity impact rule, shortest path rule and knowledge transfer rule to represent the reality. Then, the knowledge transfer in industrial cluster with small-world network characteristic is simulated. The simulation and analysis results show that the new knowledge transfer would be promoted effectively if the knowledge absorptive capability of new firms and small and medium-sized firms can be improved. By reducing firms" dependence on existing knowledge and their rejection of new knowledge, both the scope and effectiveness of knowledge transfer would be improved. The modeling and its simulation in the knowledge rigidity perspective would contribute to refine the knowledge rigidity theory and support firms’countermeasures analysis and government policy making.