A Translation Theory of Knowledge Transfer: Learning Across Organizational Borders

In A Translation Theory of Knowledge Transfer, Kjell Arne Røvik develops a new theory on the challenges of transferring and sharing knowledge across organizational borders. Based on extensive research, he proposes a new, reframing idea of knowledge transfer as acts of translation, resembling the translation of texts. This new concept both extends and challenges established theories of knowledge transfer. Containing a comprehensive review of the last 40 years of research on knowledge transfer across organizational borders, this book also offers a step-by-step account of how a new theory within organizational research has been developed. Røvik states that the capacity of an organization to transfer and exploit knowledge from other organizations is a key to its competitiveness, progress, and even survival, and convincingly argues how this new translation theory can be used to guide practitioners involved in knowledge transfer processes.

About the Author

Kjell Arne Røvik is Professor of Organization Theory at the Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø. His main research interest involves studies of knowledge transfer across organizational borders, institutional change, and the creation, spread and implementation of organizational practices and ideas. He is also dedicated to questions of theory development in management and organization research. He has published numerous books and articles on these subjects.