Knowledge transfer: What is it?
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“Knowledge Transfer is a ‘contact sport’; it works best when people meet to exchange ideas, sometimes serendipitously, and spot new opportunities.”
~ Tim Minshall
Communication and collaboration is vital to the work we do. In the creative industry, there are always moving parts to any project; multiple teams coordinating various jobs that demand a range of different outcomes. From copywriting to web design, everything goes hand in hand, impacting and influencing the finished product.
Without clear communication and collaboration, the natural rhythm required to create good work can turn into what feels like rough waters.
That’s why knowledge transfer is fundamental to organizational success.
What is knowledge transfer?
Through the process of knowledge transfer, there is a unique exchange taking place within the community. The intangible nature of knowledge itself is given form through intellectual property, expertise or skills.
The University of Cambridge defines knowledge transfer as a very broad range of “activities to support mutually beneficial collaborations between universities, businesses and the public sector.” These activities can include, but are not limited to, the circulation of information, ideas and documentation.
However, knowledge transfer does not just occur at an institutional level and can extend into the internal structure of businesses too.
Research has shown that knowledge transfer between employees can promote creativity, innovation and overall performance. The team at Global Trade Mag echo this sentiment.
“Knowledge transfer systems facilitate the capturing and eventual dissemination of key knowledge across your business.
“Employees obtain better access to the saved information as the system streamlines communication in an organization. These practices boost confidence and productivity in employees.”
Knowledge transfer ensures that your business does not remain siloed by mere functionality. When appropriately implemented, it can serve to break down existing barriers, creating a more cohesive and empowered environment in the process.
Why is it important?
Knowledge transfer as a process is important because it goes beyond communication and training.
“Knowledge transfer is not the same as “training.” Neither is it simply the circulation of information (facts and data). While it does include these things, knowledge transfer has more to do with identifying and harnessing your team members’ adaptable skills and abilities to apply information.”
For instance, research in the Journal of Organizational Behavior found that the way jobs were designed impacted the effectiveness of knowledge transfer within organizations.
“Specifically, we found that more cognitively complex jobs — in which people need to process large amounts of information and solve complex problems — tended to promote more knowledge sharing, as did jobs offering more autonomy.
“By focusing on these aspects of work, managers can encourage employees to share more and hide less.”
To be effective across an organization, knowledge transfer requires organizational change. It demands a revaluation of our current ways of working and what structures are in place, asking the question – how can they better promote a culture of sharing?
