The Influence of Knowledge Management on the Result of Innovation of Companies in the Mold Industries

In today's business world, knowledge and innovation are key factors for the success of organizations. Knowledge stock alone does not generate a competitive advantage to companies, but the way it is used might create it. It is through the wide network of relationships that involves the organization that innovations emerge. These two concepts are intertwined, since for the innovation process to be successful, there must first be an effective knowledge management, which involves knowledge acquisition, application and sharing. In this context and based on a sample of 36 companies in the mold making sector in Portugal (one industry where Portugal is the 8th top producer in the world), a confirmatory research work was carried out with the aim of studying the impact of knowledge management on innovation performance. For this purpose, we used a quantitative methodology based on a survey. Through the estimation of a structural equations model, using SmartPLS software, we found that knowledge acquisition has a positive influence on knowledge sharing, which in turn is positively reflected in its application, which positively impacts innovation in performance in Portuguese plastic injection mold making companies - these results are in line with similar studies carried out in different contexts. Consequently, knowledge, considered as an intangible asset, must be managed effectively and efficiently, in order to create value through innovation, a determinant of competitiveness in an activity sector that creates customized solutions for its customers. Despite of the small sample size, these results highlight the importance of effectively managing the acquisition,