Measuring the Effectiveness of Transferring Knowledge

Following existing theories, knowledge transfer between individuals or entities can be analyzed in a simplified dyadic sender-receiver framework. Considering that, this paper investigates the sender side of the framework and aims at establishing a model to measure individuals’ or entities’ knowledge transfer capacity. A thorough literature and research review highlighted three dimensions as having an impact on transferring capacity: capability, willingness and competence. In addition to theoretically investigating the effect of those three dimensions, further research allowed the identification of three measurable factors per dimension, thus grounding the theoretical model. Feedback was then collected from knowledge transfer experts, resulting in the overall dimensions, the model and the factors being validated by most respondents, with future research necessary to determine why the experts considered certain factors relatively less relevant than others. Overall, the establishment of measurable components of the transferring capacity is a major step forward in better understanding the transfer of knowledge process. Possible applications and further research are also discussed.