Evaluating the effect of knowledge risks on sustainability: the mediating role of organizational performance

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the links between knowledge risks, organizational performance and knowledge-intensive firms (KIFs)' sustainability.Design/methodology/approachA questionnaire was administered with a sample of 427 respondents from Lebanon. The gathered data were analyzed using SEM approach.FindingsThe empirical evidence confirms the potential role of knowledge risks in reducing the sustainability of firms. Furthermore, organizational performance was revealed to partially mediate the relationship between knowledge risks and sustainability.Practical implicationsThe study's findings inspire managers of KIFs to use effective knowledge management practices to mitigate potential knowledge risks.Originality/valueKnowledge risks and knowledge risk management are still unexplored in the literature. This paper is a pioneering study that advances the knowledge management field by emphasizing the significance of knowledge risks and their influence on the performance and sustainability of KIFs in Lebanon, a country with a culture distinct from that of Western contexts.