Knowledge Management and Innovation Performance in United Bank for Africa (Published)
This study examined the relationship between knowledge management and innovation performance in United Bank for Africa (UBA), Uyo branch, Akwa Ibom State. Specifically, the research evaluated the influence of cultural resistance and inadequate technology infrastructure on innovation performance. The study was guided by two research objectives, two research questions, and two null hypotheses. The theoretical framework was anchored on the Knowledge-Based View (KBV) and Dynamic Capabilities Theory (DCT). A cross-sectional survey design was adopted, with a census sampling technique used to select all 56 senior staff members of UBA Uyo. A structured questionnaire titled “Knowledge Management and Innovation Performance Questionnaire (KMIPQ)” was administered, and 47 copies (83% retrieval rate) were valid for analysis. Data were analyzed using simple percentages and regression analysis via SPSS. The findings revealed that cultural resistance has a significant negative influence on innovation performance (R² = 0.282; Beta = -0.531; p < 0.05), indicating that higher cultural resistance leads to lower innovation performance. Similarly, inadequate technology infrastructure showed a significant negative influence on innovation performance (R² = 0.140; Beta = -0.374; p < 0.05). Consequently, both null hypotheses were rejected. The study concludes that cultural resistance and poor technology infrastructure are critical barriers to knowledge management-driven innovation in UBA Uyo. Recommendations include implementing change management programs to reduce cultural resistance, investing in modern technology infrastructure, fostering leadership support for knowledge sharing, and establishing “safe zones” for experimentation to enhance innovation performance.
Keywords: Innovation Performance, Knowledge Management, United Bank for Africa, Uyo, cultural resistance, technology infrastructure