Overcoming knowledge loss through the utilization of an unlearning context

PurposeThis study explores the following question: How can managers overcome knowledge loss or degradation and/or replace obsolete knowledge to stimulate the realized absorptive capacity in the Spanish hospitality sector in particular and organizations in general?Design/methodology/implicationsThis study uses a structural equation modeling (SEM) approach to test empirically the research model and the relationships in hypothesis and validates them through factor analysis of data coming from 164 hotels in the Spanish hospitality sector.FindingsThe key managerial implication of this paper is that knowledge creation, assimilation, and structure for organizations' success in the long term require administrators and organizations to develop and implement the so-called unlearning context.Originality/valueIn an applied sense, the model facilitates organizations to counteract negative effects of accidental degration or complete loss of knowledge in relevant areas and to facilitate the replacement of obsolete knowledge.