Understanding Culture of Knowledge Transfer: An Empirical Investigation using Confirmatory Factor Analysis

Abstract:

This article investigates the possible relationship between the organizational culture and the willingness to transfer knowledge, where knowledge sharing appears to be influenced by the individualistic or cooperative nature of the culture. Differences in context between the source and destination of knowledge will challenge knowledge transfer activities, which requires deeper understandings of socialization activities and management policies that influence knowledge transfer among people. Organisations should encourage the notion that the quality of ideas is more important than the status of source. This article offers an empirically investigation to understand the conditions of culture of knowledge transfer using confirmatory factor analysis. It hypothesized a direct positive relationship between knowledge oriented culture (KOC) socialisation activities and management practises. Items representing the knowledge oriented culture (KOC) were developed from the findings of a wide review of literature regarding the most common frictions that inhabit and prevent knowledge transfer (KT). Findings support the hypothesized model and revealed that organisations should focus more on socialisation activities since it has more explanation powerful to organisation culture.