Relational technology management knowledge: an organizational capability for Industry 4.0 adoption and distributor sustainability development

Purpose Against the backdrop of knowledge-based theory, this study investigates the interplay between critical knowledge components, technology management knowledge and relational knowledge, the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies and their impact on distributor sustainability development. Design/methodology/approach In 2024, Centiment, a marketing research company, collected data from 944 respondents across Canada and the US After applying eligibility criteria, the final sample comprised 131 respondents employed at organizations with at least a limited deployment of Industry 4.0 technologies. PLS-SEM was used for statistical analysis. Findings The findings validate all proposed research hypotheses with large effect sizes (f2). A comprehensive assessment of the measurement model and exploratory factor analysis (EFA) revealed that technology management knowledge and relational knowledge are perceived as a unified construct, providing empirical evidence for an integrated organizational capability, termed relational technology management knowledge. Originality/value Unlike previous studies that have generally treated technology management knowledge and relational knowledge as distinct capabilities, this research provides initial empirical evidence that they may constitute a unified organizational capability in the context of Industry 4.0 adoption. The findings introduce relational technology management knowledge as an integrated capability and demonstrate its relevance to Industry 4.0 adoption and distributor sustainability development, while providing a foundation for validation across additional organizational and geographical contexts.