1. Knowledge management Module 7 obstacles to knowledge transfer
Dr Jiangang Fei AUSTRALIAN MARITIME COLLEGE

2. Focus questions
How do knowledge-related characteristics impede knowledge transfer and sharing?
What are the main factors that influence individuals to share their knowledge?
How can organisational internal structure affect knowledge sharing and transfer?
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3. Characteristics of knowledge
Causal ambiguity
Undefinable portion of knowledge (e.g. Human skills)
A property of collectively held knowledge
Imperfectly understood idiosyncratic features of the new context
Unprovenness
Usefulness
Relevance
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4. Characteristics of the source of knowledge
Lack of motivation
Fear of losing ownership, a position of privilege, superiority
Not being adequately rewarded for sharing hard won success
Unwilling to devote time and resources to support the transfer
Not perceived as reliable
Trustworthiness
Credibility
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5. Characteristics of recipient of knowledge
Lack of motivation: reluctant to accept knowledge from outside
Fear of changes
No reward
Laziness
Consequences:
Foot dragging
passivity
Feigned acceptance
Hidden sabotage
Outright rejection
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6. Characteristics of recipient of knowledge (cont.)
Lack of absorptive capacity
Unable to exploit outside sources of knowledge
Lack the ability to value, assimilate and apply new knowledge
Lack of retentive capacity
A lack of persistence to exploit
Lack the ability to institutionalise the utilisation of new knowledge
Social confidence: comfort zone & approachability
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7. Characteristics of the context
Barren organisational context
Formal structure and systems
Source of coordination and expertise
Behaviour-framing attributes
Arduous relationship
Ease of communication
Intimacy of the overall relationship between the source unit and the recipient unit
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8. Characteristics of the organisation
Organisational structure: could either facilitate or hinder knowledge transfer
Formal hierarchical (centralisation) (-)
Informal lateral relations (+)
Competition between units (-)
Shielding mechanisms through partitioning tasks (-)
Physical separation of experts (-)
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9. A knowledge transfer framework
Knowledge Flows
Context
Relationship
Organisation
Individual
Knowledge
Mechanisms KT
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10. Review
Now return to the focus questions at the beginning of this module and consider whether you can answer them to your satisfaction.
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