واکاوی فرایندهای بنیادین خلق دانش در شرکت‌های دانش‌بنیان: یک پژوهش کیفی مبتنی بر نظریه داده بنیاد

Purpose: The objective of this study is to critically investigate the fundamental processes underpinning knowledge creation within knowledge-based companies, particularly those operating in dynamic and knowledge-intensive environments.
Design/methodology/approach: This study is classified as an applied and qualitative research project that employs the systematic and structured grounded theory methodology as proposed by Strauss and Corbin (1997) for in-depth data analysis. The statistical population was all knowledge-based companies located in the Tabriz Science and Technology Park, which, according to available reports, comprises a total of 165 companies. Purposive sampling method was selected. Thus, 16 semi-structured interviews were conducted with 7 Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) and 9 employees working in various departments across different companies. The data collection tool was semi-structured interviews. The process of data analysis was carried out in three well-defined stages: open coding (extracting initial concepts and categorizing raw data), axial coding (identifying relationships among the emergent categories and concepts), and selective coding (determining the core category and building a comprehensive conceptual model). This step-by-step and systematic approach results in the development of a paradigmatic model that clearly illustrates the dynamic relationships between major and minor concepts identified throughout the research.
Findings: The findings indicate that knowledge creation in knowledge based companies emerges from the multilayered interaction of causal, contextual, strategic, and intervening conditions. At the causal level, a set of internal motivations—such as the desire for higher income, interest in company development, and the production of high quality products—along with external market driven motivations such as competition and entry into new markets, act as the driving forces of knowledge creation. This process is grounded in individual contextual factors, including education and personal motivation, as well as organizational contextual factors such as initial capital and specialized human resources. Furthermore, companies advance knowledge creation through strategies of innovation and organizational learning—from transforming ideas into products to competitor monitoring and learning from failures—combined with synergy building through collaboration with universities, experts, and interdisciplinary networks. The process is also shaped by intervening factors, including technological capabilities, governmental policies related to challenges such as brain drain and administrative complexities, and the prevailing culture of society and the market. Ultimately, knowledge creation leads to outcomes at three levels: organizational achievements such as product improvement and enhanced competitiveness; national achievements such as cost reduction and the production of rare or imported products; and individual achievements including personal growth and a sense of success. We conclude that knowledge creation in knowledge based companies in Tabriz Science and Technology Park is a multidimensional and dynamic process shaped by the constructive interaction among individual and market driven motivations, organizational capacities, innovative strategies, and technological and institutional intervening factors. Knowledge creation not only enhances organizational performance and competitiveness but also strengthens national benefits and individual development, thereby reinforcing the role of knowledge based companies as key drivers of knowledge oriented development.
Research limitations/implications: This study offers valuable insights into the mechanisms of knowledge creation in knowledge-based companies; however, several limitations should be acknowledged, which also present opportunities for future research.
First, the exclusive use of qualitative methods, while enabling in-depth exploration, limits the generalizability of findings. Future research could adopt mixed-method approaches by combining grounded theory with quantitative techniques such as surveys or statistical analysis. This integration would enhance both the validity and applicability of results.
Second, the study’s geographic focus on companies in the Tabriz Science and Technology Park may constrain the applicability of findings to other regions. Conducting comparative studies across different cities or countries could help identify cultural, economic, or structural variations in knowledge creation practices, supporting the development of both localized and broader models.
Third, this study focused on internal organizational actors—managers and employees—while neglecting the potential roles of other stakeholders such as customers, partners, suppliers, and policymakers. Future research should explore how these external agents influence and interact with knowledge creation processes in the broader ecosystem.
Originality/value: This study, using grounded theory methodology, investigates knowledge creation processes within real-world, operational knowledge-based firms, and thus offers methodological originality and empirical relevance. Unlike many conceptual or theoretical studies, this research draws directly from practical experiences and field-based data. It takes into account a range of interacting dimensions, including causal, contextual, and intervening factors, to construct a holistic understanding of knowledge generation within organizational environments. The use of primary data collected from key individuals working in active companies adds to the depth, reliability, and contextual richness of the findings. Ultimately, the results of this study lead to the formulation of a paradigmatic model that not only clarifies fundamental opportunities and challenges but also serves as a guiding framework for strategic decision-making in the field of knowledge management. Furthermore, it provides a foundational reference for policies related to the sustainable development of a knowledge-based economy in Iran, making it both academically valuable and practically applicable.