The mediating role of knowledge sharing on the relationship between competitive intelligence and product development : evidence from Jordan

The purpose of this study is to investigate the mediating role of knowledge sharing on the relationship between competitive intelligence and product development. A cross-sectional design was used in this study. Using a random sample of 178 general managers from the chemical manufacturing sector in Jordan, the data were collected through an online questionnaire. A structural equation modeling (SEM) was utilized to test the study hypotheses. Findings reveal that competitive intelligence and knowledge sharing have a positive effect on product development; additionally, competitive intelligence has a positive effect on knowledge sharing; and finally, knowledge sharing partially mediates the relationship between competitive intelligence and product development. These results help managers determine how to enhance product development by focusing on competitive intelligence and knowledge sharing. The unique contribution of this study lies in studying knowledge sharing as a mediator variable in the relationship between competitive intelligence and product development, since the empirical analysis of such a relationship has never been undertaken.