The role of employees' cognitive capabilities, knowledge creation and decision-making style in predicting the firm's performance

PurposeThis study explored the relationship between employees' cognitive capabilities and firm performance by exploring the moderating role of decision-making style and the mediating effect of knowledge creation. Understanding the role of cognitive capabilities in value creation is crucial for human resource management to achieve the anticipated organizational performance.Design/methodology/approachStructural equation modeling, cognitive skills theory, cognitive skills acquisition theory and a knowledge creation framework were applied.FindingsThe first finding suggests that only A-shaped skills predict higher knowledge creation, while T-shaped skills do not. Second, knowledge creation predicts higher financial performance and a lower level of financial uncertainty. Third, T-shaped skills have no indirect effect on financial performance or financial uncertainty. Fourth, A-shaped skills exerted significant indirect effects on financial performance and uncertainty. Fifth, the rational decision-making style did not moderate the link between knowledge creation and financial performance, as opposed to the intuitive decision-making style.Originality/valueA review of existing research indicates a lack of studies examining the effect of cognitive skills on organizational outcomes and contingencies under which cognitive skills lead to superior outcomes. This study advances research on T-shaped and A-shaped skills and knowledge creation by empirically exploring their interrelationships with financial performance. Managerial implications and suggestions for future research are also highlighted.