TY - BOOK

T1 - Knowledge management

T2 - understanding the cultural context of knowledge transfer

AU - Chifiero, Astra

PY - 2020

Y1 - 2020

N2 - Knowledge as a key resource to the success of a business is widely recognised. It has, therefore, become imperative that organisations can build on the knowledge within the organisation and leverage their employees experiences through knowledge transfer. Social interactions have been identified as essential to the effective transfer of knowledge and require an understanding of the cultural context which influences these interactions. A review of the literature shows that research into knowledge transfer has focused on the inter-organisational transfer of knowledge between cultures. There is however a paucity of research on knowledge transfer practices in Nigeria. The aim of this thesis is to explore employees understanding of the organisational and national cultural complexities influencing knowledge transfer within professional service firms in Nigeria. Empirical research is undertaken to gain insight into employees perceptionof organisational and national culture on intra-organisational knowledge transfer. Data is collected by interviewing thirty employees in three professional service firms. The findings show that cultural artefacts such as shared language, terms of address, physical settings and mode of dressing create knowledge transfer behaviours such as approachability and openness to engage in knowledge transfer which in turn creates an environment of trust and open communication. Additional findings also indicate that employees use the enabling culture of the organisation to take ownership of their knowledge needs through self-directed learning due to a lack of professional knowledge and engaging in altruistic behaviour to create credibility and legitimise their place within the organisation. This study contributes to knowledge transfer practices in Nigeria and research in professional services firms. The research emphasises the need to undertake knowledge transfer research in culturally diverse nations which provides novel insights into employees knowledge transfer practices as a result of the cultural context.

AB - Knowledge as a key resource to the success of a business is widely recognised. It has, therefore, become imperative that organisations can build on the knowledge within the organisation and leverage their employees experiences through knowledge transfer. Social interactions have been identified as essential to the effective transfer of knowledge and require an understanding of the cultural context which influences these interactions. A review of the literature shows that research into knowledge transfer has focused on the inter-organisational transfer of knowledge between cultures. There is however a paucity of research on knowledge transfer practices in Nigeria. The aim of this thesis is to explore employees understanding of the organisational and national cultural complexities influencing knowledge transfer within professional service firms in Nigeria. Empirical research is undertaken to gain insight into employees perceptionof organisational and national culture on intra-organisational knowledge transfer. Data is collected by interviewing thirty employees in three professional service firms. The findings show that cultural artefacts such as shared language, terms of address, physical settings and mode of dressing create knowledge transfer behaviours such as approachability and openness to engage in knowledge transfer which in turn creates an environment of trust and open communication. Additional findings also indicate that employees use the enabling culture of the organisation to take ownership of their knowledge needs through self-directed learning due to a lack of professional knowledge and engaging in altruistic behaviour to create credibility and legitimise their place within the organisation. This study contributes to knowledge transfer practices in Nigeria and research in professional services firms. The research emphasises the need to undertake knowledge transfer research in culturally diverse nations which provides novel insights into employees knowledge transfer practices as a result of the cultural context.

KW - Knowledge

KW - Knowledge Management

KW - Knowledge Transfer

KW - Organisational Culture

KW - National culture

KW - Tribal Culture

KW - Professional Services Firms.

U2 - 10.17635/lancaster/thesis/894

DO - 10.17635/lancaster/thesis/894

M3 - Doctoral Thesis

PB - Lancaster University

ER -