High Performance Work Systems and Innovative Work Behavior: The Mediating Role of Knowledge Sharing in Vietnam’s Logistics Sector

Abstract

This study examined how high-performance work systems (HPWSs) shape employees’ innovative work behaviour through knowledge sharing in Vietnam’s logistics sector. Building on the knowledge-based view, knowledge management literature, and the ability–motivation–opportunity (AMO) framework, we developed and tested a model in which HPWSs influence innovative work behaviour indirectly via knowledge sharing at the individual level of perception. A quantitative survey of 782 employees in Vietnam’s logistics sector was conducted, and the data were analysed using structural equation modelling (SEM). The results indicate that HPWSs significantly enhance employees’ willingness to share knowledge, and in turn, knowledge sharing strongly promotes innovative work behaviour. However, the direct effect of HPWSs on innovative work behaviour was not significant, which suggests that supportive human resource management (HRM) practices alone do not inherently foster innovation unless employees actively engage in knowledge sharing and application. Mediation analysis confirmed that knowledge sharing fully mediates the relationship between HPWSs and innovative work behaviour. These findings suggest that supportive HRM practices do not automatically foster innovation unless they activate knowledge-sharing processes among employees. The study contributes to the knowledge management literature by conceptualising knowledge sharing as a core transformation mechanism that converts HRM-enabled organisational conditions into innovative work behaviour. It also links strategic HRM and knowledge-based perspectives by showing that HPWSs become valuable for innovation when they facilitate the exchange, recombination and application of employee knowledge. The findings suggest that logistics managers should align HPWSs with practices and routines that encourage knowledge sharing and cross-functional knowledge exchange.