Knowledge Transfer Networks, Value Creation, and Cultural Aspects of Industrial Production

Abstract

Knowledge transfer considers the company as a dynamic system dealing with different kinds of knowledge. As production becomes more knowledge-based, this increases the potential for capturing and taking advantage of knowledge. On the other side, these factors become more complex and difficulties increase for the effective transfer of knowledge across organizational boundaries.

Research on knowledge transfer has experienced substantial growth in the past 30 years and research on knowledge transfer is still increasing (Kumar & Ganesh, 2009). The literature argues quite unanimously that there is a positive link between knowledge sharing and competitive advantage. This is analyzed in several studies, but according to Dyer and Hatch (2006), this assumption has not been generally proven. In this chapter, we discuss the points of view from different contributions on this subject. In the empirical part of this chapter, we propose the idea that knowledge transfer is a way for organizations to be more competitive and implement changes essential to their survival. This is done by looking at five firms in the meat producing industry in different countries.

Citation

Westeren, K.I. (2017), "Knowledge Transfer Networks, Value Creation, and Cultural Aspects of Industrial Production", Russ, M. (Ed.) Human Capital and Assets in the Networked World, Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 21-58. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-78714-827-720171002