Role of Knowledge Transfer as a Coordinative Tool in Interorganizational Relationships

Abstract

Firm related knowledge is among the most strategic assets to be managed and shared. It also requires special attention as a unit of exchange in interorganizational coordinative structures. Literature inherits several important studies which attempt to reveal the factors shaping inter-firm relationships. Following a similar vein, this study bases on resource dependence view and network approach and treats knowledge as a critical resource used in an interdependent fashion with the governance structure of the inter-firm relationship. Accordingly, the main thrust of this study is that the type and amount of knowledge acquired by the parties will differ among interorganizational relationships. In this sense, a conceptual model specifying inter-firm relationships based on knowledge exchange mechanism will be put forth along with related propositions. Moreover, the role of different organizational learning mechanisms in each of these relationships will be discussed.