Inter-organizational knowledge transfer: the perspective of knowledge governance
Abstract
Purpose
The main purposes of this study are to develop a knowledge governance mechanism-fit-barrier matrix mode to resolve transfer problems resulting from knowledge characteristics and to clarify the relationship among knowledge characteristics, barriers of knowledge transfer, and effective knowledge transfer in inter-organizational contexts.
Design/methodology/approach
The vast literature on knowledge transfer in inter-organizational context has been reviewed. Moreover, to develop a theoretical framework, the authors developed a set of arguments based on literature pertaining to the knowledge-based view of knowledge characteristics and barriers and the response of network to inter-organizational knowledge transfer.
Findings
Knowledge-based view of knowledge characteristics and barriers and knowledge governance may provide a new understanding for network organizations seeking effective knowledge transfer strategies in inter-organizational context.
Research limitations/implications
The main contribution to organizational theory is extending information-processing theory to form a new strategic model for inter-organizational knowledge transfer.
Practical implications
The fit model of governance mechanisms may help managers to make effective strategies for inter-organizational knowledge transfer.
Originality/value
Theoretically, this paper extends Information Processing Theory to inter-organizational relationships research. The developed model here also helps to explain the importance of cognitive dimensions for successful inter-organizational knowledge transfer. In KM practice, the proposed well-developed strategic models may help managers to link inter-organizational knowledge transfer processes to business strategy, and validate of the way to convert the goal of making their network organizations more intelligent into a strategic action.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Corrigendum - It has come to our attention that “Inter-organizational knowledge transfer: the perspective of knowledge governance” by Shih-Chieh Fang, Chen-Wei Yang and Wen-Yen Hsu, published in the Journal of Knowledge Management, Vol. 17 No. 6, 2013, contains an acknowledgement not intended for publication on this paper. This occurred through an author error. The authors sincerely apologise for this.
The earlier version of this paper was presented at the 2010 annual meeting of the Academy of Management, in Montreal, Canada. The authors thank three anonymous reviewers for their helpful comments. The research on which this paper is based was supported by the National Science Council (NSC 102-2420-H-242-001-MY2). Received 9 April 2013 Revised 13 August 2013 Accepted 15 August 2013.
Citation
Fang, S.-C., Yang, C.-W. and Hsu, W.-Y. (2013), "Inter-organizational knowledge transfer: the perspective of knowledge governance", Journal of Knowledge Management, Vol. 17 No. 6, pp. 943-957. https://doi.org/10.1108/JKM-04-2013-0138
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2013, Emerald Group Publishing Limited