How does external knowledge integration influence SME employee creativity in the digital age?

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URI: https://hdl.handle.net/10481/109935
ISSN: 1746-8817
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Author
Zhang, Yue; Aguilera Caracuel, Javier; Hong, Yuxiang
Editorial
Emerald
Materia
External knowledge integration
 
Leader encouragement of creativity
 
Employee creativity
 
Date
2026-01-16
Referencia bibliográfica
Published version: Zhang, Y., Aguilera-Caracuel, J., & Hong, Y. (2026). How does external knowledge integration influence SME employee creativity in the digital age?. International Journal of Emerging Markets, 1-23. ISSN: 1746-8817
Sponsorship
National Natural Science Foundation of China (72204070); Zhejiang Philosophy and Social Sciences of China (24NDQN114YBM),; China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (2025M770703); Zhejiang Provincial Soft Science Research Program (2026C35090); Spanish R&D&i Project (TED2021-130960A-I00)
Abstract
Purpose This study aims to enrich social information processing theory (SIP) by investigating how external knowledge integration (EKI) influences Chinese small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) employee creativity through creative process engagement (CPE) and work-related exhaustion in the digital age. Additionally, we investigate the moderating role of leader encouragement in the mediational pathway from EKI to employee creativity. Design/methodology/approach Using a two-wave longitudinal survey with data collected from 212 employees selected from 143 SMEs across various industries in eastern China, we tested our hypothesis using multivariate regression models with bootstrap procedures. Findings This research found that EKI has both positive and negative effects on employee creativity, mediated by CPE and work-related exhaustion, respectively. Additionally, leader encouragement of creativity moderates the impact of EKI on CPE and work-related exhaustion, influencing how the positive and negative effects of EKI affect creativity in the digital age. Originality/value This paper applies SIP theory to examine the complex relationship between EKI, CPE, work-related exhaustion, and the role of leaders in SMEs. Our study offers practical implications for SME leaders to leverage external knowledge to improve employee creativity.
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