Human and Information Interaction

The Impact of Information and Communication Technology on the Performance of Start-up Companies in the Tourism Industry: The Mediating Role of Knowledge Integration and Employee Training

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Yazdan Shirmohammadi 1
Fatemeh Safa 2

1 Corresponding author Associate Professor, Department of Business Managment, Payame Noor University (PNU), Tehran, Iran). E-mail: y.shirmohamadi@pnu.ac.ir

2 Master of Tourism Management of Payame Noor University (PNU), Tehran, Iran, E-mail: fatemeh.safa1372@gmail.com

Abstract
Intoduction: Tourism is recognized as one of the most dynamic and rapidly growing economic sectors in recent decades, acting as a major driver of economic development, employment generation, and cultural exchange worldwide (Cristó & Sharpley, 2019). Within this broader industry, tourism start-ups play a central role in developing innovative products and services, enhancing destination attractiveness, and increasing stakeholder engagement. The performance of such start-ups, especially in urban tourism ecosystems such as Tehran, is increasingly dependent on their ability to leverage Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), foster knowledge integration, and innovate in both products and services. ICT has emerged as a key enabler of competitiveness in knowledge-intensive and service-oriented industries. It facilitates the acquisition and dissemination of knowledge across organizational boundaries, allowing firms to accelerate internal learning, adopt open innovation practices, and improve overall performance (Harif et al., 2022). Moreover, in the context of start-ups, where agility, adaptability, and resource constraints are often interwoven, strategic application of ICT becomes not just an operational necessity, but a performance catalyst.

Methods and Materoal

The present study employed a descriptive-correlational methodology based on structural equation modeling (SEM) using the SmartPLS 3 software. A total of 280 managers and employees from tourism start-ups based in Tehran were selected through convenience sampling. Standardized questionnaires were used to measure the constructs of interest, including ICT (Azam, 2015), open innovation (Hamed et al., 2018), knowledge integration, knowledge management (Iqbal et al., 2023), service innovation (Hu, 2009), marketing strategy (Koksal & Ozgul, 2007), and firm performance. Validity and reliability of the constructs were confirmed through Cronbach's alpha, composite reliability, Average Variance Extracted (AVE) and discriminant validity measures. Items with factor loadings below 0.4 were removed to ensure model parsimony. The GoF (Goodness-of-Fit) index was computed and interpreted based on Kline's (2010) thresholds to ensure robustness of the overall model.

Resultss and Discussion

The results reveal that ICT significantly influences three critical mediating variables: external knowledge integration (β = 0.60, t = 18.0), open innovation (β = 0.75, t = 26.55), and knowledge management (β = 0.512, t = 7.17). These findings support prior studies that conceptualize ICT not only as a data processing tool but also as a vehicle for organizational learning and innovation (Scuotto et al., 2017; Bhatt & Grover, 2005).Moreover, the integration of external knowledge has a direct and significant effect on knowledge management (β = 0.40, t = 8.59), underscoring the importance of external inputs in shaping internal learning systems and innovation capacity (Liao & Marsillac, 2015). In contrast, the direct relationship between open innovation and knowledge management was not statistically significant (t = 0.18), suggesting that open innovation may be more effective when coupled with internal absorptive capabilities or organizational culture conducive to knowledge utilization.Knowledge management, as a central construct in this model, demonstrated strong effects on both service innovation (β = 0.70, t = 24.96) and organizational performance (β = 0.389, t = 3.87). This aligns with the existing literature that highlights the strategic role of knowledge systems in enabling innovation and competitive advantage (Darroch, 2005; Harif et al., 2022). Furthermore, service innovation itself has a modest yet significant impact on performance (β = 0.17, t = 2.66), echoing previous studies that link new service development to firm-level outcomes (Aas & Pedersen, 2010; Cheng & Huizingh, 2014).Surprisingly, the direct effect of marketing strategy on performance was not significant (t = 1.62), which contradicts the results of some earlier studies (Kitsios & Kamariotou, 2016). However, a significant moderating effect of marketing strategy was found on the relationship between service innovation and performance (t = 3.10, β = 0.138), indicating that when strategically aligned with innovation initiatives, marketing strategies can enhance the impact of innovation efforts.The structural model exhibited strong explanatory power, with R² values of 0.658 for knowledge management, 0.494 for service innovation, and 0.429 for performance. The global GoF value of 0.638 exceeded the threshold for strong model fit (Kline, 2010), confirming the robustness of the conceptual framework.

Conclusion

This study offers multiple contributions to both academic theory and managerial practice. First, it empirically validates the critical role of ICT as a driver of performance in tourism start-ups, particularly through its impact on knowledge integration and innovation mechanisms. Second, it emphasizes the importance of effective knowledge management systems as a bridge between external knowledge inputs and internal innovation outcomes. Third, it suggests that while marketing strategy may not directly influence performance, it plays a valuable role as a moderator when combined with service innovation.The implications for practitioners are clear: tourism start-ups should invest in ICT infrastructure and training not merely for operational efficiency but as strategic assets for learning and innovation. Knowledge integration systems, such as customer databases, supplier collaboration platforms, and staff training modules, should be prioritized. In addition, marketing strategies should be designed to amplify the value created through service innovation.Given the limited geographic focus of the study, future research should replicate this model in other cities and cultural contexts. Mixed-method approaches incorporating qualitative insights could also enrich the findings. Moreover, examining the role of individual characteristics such as entrepreneurial orientation, digital literacy, or organizational culture may shed further light on the boundary conditions of these relationships.

Keywords

Information and Communication Technology
Open Innovation
Knowledge management
tourism
Marketing
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Human and Information Interaction
Volume 11, Issue 4
Winter 2025
Pages 42-63