Structured knowledge transfer in a high technology industry

Sammanfattning: Background: Due to the rapid change of conditions knowledge is becoming increasingly more importance today. Knowledge is now considered superior to technology and capital as a source of competitive advantage, however needs to be efficiently transferred and well managed to explore its full potential. Purpose: The primary purpose of this study is to map the process of structured knowledge transfer. This is done in two phases from host organisation to expatriate and from expatriate to home organisation. Secondary the results will indicate some major influences on the knowledge transfer process. Research method: A case study of SAAB and Denel Aviatons has been selected for this thesis. Primary information was predominantly obtained through qualitative interviews with some quantitative survey support. The case study has been conducted with people involved in the structured knowledge transfer programme. Results: The study shows that different types of knowledge is transferred and that knowledge moves through several stages as it gets transformed from raw data to action. It also captures the methods of knowledge transfer as it moves from velocity to viscosity. It has also been discovered that although the second phase within the case study is different than the first, that ideally it should be almost identical.