Fostering knowledge sharing in the innovation process: Information and communication technology-based versus face-to-face relationships

The paper investigates information and communication technology (ICT)-based and face-to-face interactions for knowledge sharing during the activities characterizing the innovation process rather than strategic or operative ones. It also discussed the benefits of working remotely in companies or in a network of companies, also due to the pandemic situation such as the one we are experiencing today. The research design is based on the exploitation of a case study in the aerospace sector. Qualitative data are collected with interviews, and a content analysis is applied for extracting data useful for exploring different kind of relationships. Three significant results are described about the role of face-to-face interactions in knowledge sharing; the interaction through ICT tools for communication; and the different types of support provided by ICT tools. The paper extends the state of the art with new evidence in the field of knowledge sharing and conversion for sustaining the innovation process. The findings are original since new insights for the analysis of relationships are provided. Furthermore, the research methodology is described in detail and can introduce managers and scientists in content analysis applications also for industrial exploitation