Dimensions of Knowledge Transfer Efficiency: A Conceptual Framework

All communication attempts to transfer knowledge and few human activities are of such fundamental importance as the efficient transfer of knowledge. Successful and efficient knowledge transfer can be the difference between a... [ view full abstract ]

All communication attempts to transfer knowledge and few human activities are of such fundamental importance as the efficient transfer of knowledge. Successful and efficient knowledge transfer can be the difference between a relationship maintained or lost, between a successful product or failed one. Knowledge is now the most valuable resource an organization retains and transferring it efficiently is critical to an organization’s continued success. Though simple in concept, the dimensions affecting knowledge transfer are numerous and complex both in themselves and in how they interact. With this recognition of the value of efficient knowledge transfer, much interest has been generated around the knowledge transfer process with resulting research being conducted on the process over the preceding decade. Notwithstanding this work and the interest shown, there nevertheless exists an imbalance in the literature on the topic. The imbalance arises from the fact that much of the extant research has focussed on the determinants of knowledge transfer efficiency in inter-group organizational and intra-firm circumstances, with a comparatively minor volume of research interest being focussed on the inter-personal dimensions affecting the efficiency of knowledge transfer. This focus on intergroup knowledge transfer has become so dominant in the literature that even definitions of knowledge transfer are espoused which focus solely on the intergroup knowledge transfer.

Utilising social exchange theory as a theoretical foundation, several research streams were synthesis to provide the basis for the development of a conceptual model that indicates (i) without an understanding of the dynamics of knowledge transfer at the interpersonal level including the influencing dimesnions involved, it is difficult to comprehend the process at a group level (ii) the type of knowledge, tacit or explicit, being transferred has a significant impact on the effort and time required to transfer it and (iii) the cognitive styles of the actors involved in knowledge transfer have an effect on its efficiency. Actors with an innovator cognitive style are more at ease with unstructured knowledge that may be delivered verbally in one on one conversations whereas actors with an adaptor cognitive style prefer knowledge delivered in a structured format, for example written documents such as manuals. The conceptual model

Simply Stated, the conceptual model presented argues that the interpersonal trust between the actors, their cognitive styles and the type of knowledge being transferred are interdependent and are key determinants of knowledge transfer efficiency. The models describes the relationship between three antecedent to knowledge transfer, the knowledge type being transferred, the cognitive styles of the agents transferring the knowledge and the type of trust between these agents. To best of the authors knowledge, no research has investigated knowledge transfer efficiency from this social perspective and represents a significant gap in our understanding.