Transfer of managerial knowledge by business related services

Abstract

The first part of the paper is a literature survey on learning in firms and organisations mainly through transnational transfer of knowledge. The discussion moves beyond "conventional economics" and puts the issue in a broader socio-cultural-geographic perspective. Various ways of organising transfer of knowledge are discussed: through formal and informal networks, from suppliers and customers and market oriented consultants. Different qualities or properties of knowledge will affect methods of consultancy practice. Standardised, programmed learning systems are readily handled by new information and communication technology (NICT), whereas specific management issues depend more on personal interaction. Geographically, the process profits from agglomeration economies, but is also influenced by decentralising forces. The theoretical part of the study concludes with a critical appraisal of strengths and weaknesses in the current practices of modern consultancy. It is followed by an empirical study of preconditions and bottlenecks in learning processes in transnational consultancy firms in business related services, based on in depth interviews with provider and client firms located in Norway. One assumption is that successful learning is a function of already accumulated client knowledge and of the ability of the client in formulating problems in the learning process. Another assumption is that mutual feedback between the parties in the process is important. Finally, the investigation reveals differences in methods for transferring knowledge.