Understanding innovation mechanism through the lens of communities of practice (COP)

A community of practice (COP) is an efficient and low cost route to promote innovation performance. However, there are few papers talking about the mechanism of the relationship between COP and innovation performance. Based on social capital theory, this paper analyzes the impacts that three dimensions of COP separately have on innovative performance through intermediary variables. We find relational capital and cognitive capital of COP have significant impact on innovation performance fully mediated by intellectual capital and psychological safety. Also structural capital of COP has positive influence on innovation performance partially mediated by intellectual capital and psychological safety. Finally, implications for companies are presented based on the findings.