Organisational learning and uncertainty reduction in innovation projects : the moderating effects of innovation project types

This study investigates the direct impact of organisational learning in reducing innovation project uncertainty whilst accounting for the moderating effects of the innovation project types (process innovation and product innovation). This paper presents the findings of the empirical examination that tests these relationships within the scope of innovation projects from different industries. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) analysis on data collected from 249 innovation project professionals to confirm the proposed hypotheses of the study. The findings of the study reveal that organisational learning reduces innovation project uncertainty, and this impact is more pronounced in projects focused on product innovations than process innovations. Therefore, the paper argues that organisational learning is imperative to reduce innovation project uncertainty and accordingly, it reduces innovation project failures that are associated with high project uncertainties.