Analysis of Relationship Between Knowledge-Based Leadership, Quality of Innovation, Customer Knowledge Management and Performance of Small and Medium Enterprises Operating in the Food Industry of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province

The purpose of this research is to analyze the relationship between the quality of innovation, knowledge-based leadership, customer knowledge management, and the performance of small and medium-sized companies. In other words, the researcher seeks to investigate the effect of customer knowledge management on the quality of innovation by moderating the growth of competition and also to investigate the effect of customer knowledge management on the quality of innovation through the mediating role of company performance. The current research was applied in terms of correlational research method and in terms of purpose. The research tool is based on the standard questionnaires of Donat and Pablod (2015), Wang and Wang (2012), and Tahirpour et al. which after measuring convergent validity (average variance extracted by Fornell and Locker), divergent (Heterotrait-Monotrait Ratio) and exploratory (Varimax) and reliability (Cronbach's alpha, combined and Diestra), which follows the idea of methodological triangulation; It was implemented through the participation of 96 managers of small and medium-sized companies active in the food industry of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari provinces, who were selected by random sampling and through Morgan's table. The method of data analysis was implemented at two descriptive and inferential levels and through "SPSS25" and "WarpPLS8" software. The research findings showed that the intensity of competition with a beta coefficient of 0.00 and a significance of 0.49 does not moderate the relationship between customer knowledge management and innovation quality, But innovation quality with a significant value of Z=10.47 has mediated the relationship between customer knowledge management and company performance. Also, knowledge-based leadership on customer knowledge management; Customer knowledge management on the quality of innovation; The quality of innovation has had a significant impact on the company's performance, and finally, customer knowledge management has had a significant impact on the company's performance; But knowledge-oriented leadership has not been able to influence the quality of innovation. The research findings showed that the intensity of competition with a beta coefficient of 0.00 and a significance of 0.49 does not moderate the relationship between customer knowledge management and innovation quality; But innovation quality with a significant value of Z=10.47 has mediated the relationship between customer knowledge management and company performance. Also, knowledge-based leadership on customer knowledge management; Customer knowledge management on the quality of innovation; The quality of innovation has had a significant impact on the company's performance, and finally, customer knowledge management has had a significant impact on the company's performance; But knowledge-oriented leadership has not been able to influence the quality of innovation. The results of this study show that customer knowledge management helps the quality of innovation in small and medium companies. Gathering knowledge from customers may help to create innovation quality by providing external perspectives and more practical and creative ideas for developing products or services in small and medium enterprises. This article encourages SMEs to work more closely with their consumers, as they are the key to achieving a competitive advantage. Managers and owners of small and medium-sized businesses will benefit from having knowledge about customers and knowledge of customers. Finally, solving customer problems efficiently and effectively should also be one of the key success factors for SMEs to gain a competitive advantage.