An Analytic Model of the Factors Affecting Knowledge Transfer in the E-commerce Alliances Based on Overlapping Knowledge

Author(s):  
Chen Yin ◽  
Long Yong ◽  
Jiang Shou-cheng
2010 ◽  
Vol 47 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 356-363 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanqing Duan ◽  
Wanyan Nie ◽  
Elayne Coakes

As the world becomes a globalised economic network, cross-country knowledge transfer is an emerging phenomenon. It happens not only through Multi-National Corporations (MNC) or joint ventures, but also in dispersed organizations or individuals. Knowledge transfer is a critical part of knowledge management and is a complex process that is affected by many factors. Research into knowledge sharing and transfer within an organisation (intra) and between organisations (inter) has produced useful insight into the process and the model of effective knowledge transfer, and the factors affecting such a process. Knowledge transfer across different countries – refers to transnational knowledge transfer (TKT) thereafter, has emerged as a new domain of knowledge management that attracted many researchers. However, the findings on TKT are disproportionate comparing to ample evidence on intra and inter organisational knowledge transfer. It is anticipated that TKT has its own unique features and cannot be simply classified as one of the commonly accepted knowledge transfer categorizations. Therefore, specific attention should be paid to examine knowledge transfer in a cross-country context.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Huimin Liu ◽  
Yanru Yu ◽  
Yuxing Sun ◽  
Xue Yan

PurposeThe owners of mega projects typically assemble multiple academic research units and enterprises to form an innovation alliance, which carries out knowledge transfer and knowledge creation targeting technical challenges in the process of engineering construction. Due to high technical and management complexity of mega projects, factors affecting knowledge transfer among innovation subjects are complex and diverse. This study proposes a mixed system dynamics (SD) method to build and simulate the process of knowledge transfer in mega projects innovation and analyzes the driving mechanism that enhances knowledge stock of enterprises and engineering innovation results.Design/methodology/approachFirst, this paper proposes a conceptual model for knowledge transfer in mega projects by adopting event analysis of the data gained from investigations and interviews. Then, a qualitative model of knowledge transfer that considers mutual influences of the owner, academic research unit and enterprises is developed. Based on that, mathematical relationship among variables of the qualitative model is determined and a quantitative model of knowledge transfer that considers heterogeneity of knowledge sender is built. Finally, simulation is achieved using Vensim software.FindingsThe factors affecting knowledge stock of enterprises are analyzed from three aspects: (1) the individual motives and capability of academic research units and enterprises; (2) the gap between academic research units and enterprises; (3) the heterogeneity of academic research units. The results show that the willingness and capability of knowledge reception by enterprises, specific knowledge transfer context such as relational distance and organization distance between academic research units and enterprises and academic research units with high knowledge stock have key influences on the knowledge stock of enterprises.Research limitations/implicationsFactors affecting knowledge transfer within the alliance of innovation in mega projects and their correlations are highly complicated and difficult to determine. Despite massive investigations and interviews on many long-span bridges in China in this study, it is barely possible to directly obtain accurate data for all variables in the model. Limitations of historical data result in limitations on applications of the proposed model.Practical implicationsBy building the mega projects knowledge transfer model and conducting simulation analysis, this paper has generated practical values for the owners of mega projects on fostering, organizing, coordinating and managing of innovations. Especially, this study provides specific strategies and suggestions on selection of innovation subjects, motivation and guaranteed efficiency of knowledge transfer and knowledge creation of academic research units and enterprises.Originality/valueThis study proposes a conceptual model for factors affecting knowledge transfer that applies to innovations in mega project context, which fills the gap in the research of knowledge management in mega project innovations. Additionally, combining with the method of SD, the unique role of owner in knowledge transfer of mega projects and the differences among various knowledge senders and their influences on knowledge stocks of enterprises are thoroughly considered, and the research method of modeling and simulation of knowledge transfer mechanism is supplemented and extended.


2019 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
pp. 108-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Franklin Gyamfi Agyemang ◽  
Henry Boateng

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to ascertain the factors affecting tacit knowledge transfer from a master to an apprentice in the informal sector among hairdressers in Ghana. Design/methodology/approach A case study was used as the research design. Convenient sampling technique was used to select 47 master hairdressers. Semi-structured interview guide was used for data collection. Data were analysed using the thematic technique. Findings The study found that apprenticeship fee, fear of competition, delegation reasons, joy and pride of mentorship, apprentices’ attitude and time, to be significant factors influencing tacit knowledge transfer from a master to an apprentice. It was also evident that time spent with master as he/she performs or works is crucial to learning as most of the learning is through socializing with the master. Research limitations/implications The main limitation of the study is the use of the convenient sampling technique in choosing the participants. The results of this study, if it has to be generalised to all hairdressers in Ghana, it may have to be done with caution since the participants were not drawn from a pool of all master hairdressers in Ghana. Practical implications The paper provides what apprentices must do to acquire the tacit knowledge of master hairdressers. Originality/value This paper focuses on the holder of tacit knowledge (master hairdressers) and reveals their motivations to transfer or hoard their tacit knowledge.


The construction industry is a competitive high-risk industry with an unprecedented uncertainties in technology, budget, and development processes. It has become more dynamic in nature and the execution of projects have become more complex and difficult to manage. The need then evolved to develop a framework for project performance. This study investigates the factors affecting the project success and performance using a knowledge and resource-based approach. Data was collected from project managers, civil engineers, site managers, and architects. A total of 221 responses were collected. The data analysis was conducted using SPSS and Smart PLS. This results from this investigation revealed that knowledge transfer does not mediate the effect of strategic factors or employee factors on the project performance of Iraqi public construction projects. This finding indicated that the role of knowledge practices in Iraqi public project is still not matured. Top management are advised to effectively implement the knowledge management practices in public projects. Implementing knowledge management will avoid the organization the cost of repeating the same mistakes. Thus, it was concluded in this study that knowledge transfer is still in its infancy and currently it has no mediating effect between the variables of this study.


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