Knowledge transfer for sustainability. The role of knowledge enablers in the construction industries in Jordan
| Date | 01 October 2018 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/WJSTSD-04-2018-0023 |
| Pages | 325-337 |
| Published date | 01 October 2018 |
| Author | Yazan Alzubi |
| Subject Matter | Public policy & environmental management,Environmental technology & innovation |
Knowledge transfer for
sustainability
The role of knowledge enablers in the
construction industries in Jordan
Yazan Alzubi
Department of Civil Engineering, Al-Balqa’Applied University, Al-Salt, Jordan
Abstract
Purpose –Knowledge is a fundamental source for sustainability and transfer as it plays a vital role in
gaining and maintaining competitive advantage; thus it is imperative to investigate the factors that might
impact knowledge transfer (KT). Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the association between
knowledge enablers (organizational culture (OC), information technology (IT) knowledge leadership (KL) and
knowledge strategy (KS)) and KT in the Jordanian construction industry.
Design/methodology/approach –A quantitative research approach was adopted, and structured
questionnaire was sent to the employees in the construction industry. An aggregate of 250 surveys were
distributed and out of them 195 were obtained, which represented a response rate of 78 percent.
Findings –The resultsof this paper showed that KS, OC, IT andKL has positive and significantimpact on KT.
Originality/value –The study contributes to the literature by empirically testing the antecedents of KT in
the Jordanian construction industry. To the best of authors’knowledge, there are not many studies that
incorporate these factors in single model, especially in Jordan.
Keywords Construction industry, Knowledge transfer, Enablers’knowledge sharing
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
Knowledge is a fundamental in the sustainability of every organization (Ahmed and Al-Roubaie,
2012), and it serves as the fulcrum on which the competitive advantage is built (Albino et al.,
2004; Kogut and Zander, 1992; Rabbi et al., 2015). A critical factor required for enhancing both
innovation (Cohen and Levinthal, 2000) and productivity ( Janis, 2003) is a successful knowledge
transfer (KT). In addition, international technology transfer is considered as a basic requirement
for economic development while knowledge is strongly associated with economic progress
(Ahmed and Al-Roubaie, 2012; Ahmed and Elhag, 2017; Ahmed et al., 2008). In both developing
and developed countries, productive growth isfosteredbytheacquisitionandtransferof
technology (Hoekman et al., 2005), there is an inherent difficulty in transferring knowledge due
to certain characteristics like tacit and explicit properties (Nonaka, 1991). A class of knowledge
pertaining to a particular product or method of production is known as technological
knowledge, and it encompasses the technical skills needed to use a production technique or
product (Erdilek and Rapoport, 1985).
According to studies performed on the dynamics of technology, it has been suggested
that technology can be viewed as a means created by humans to achieve a specific goal
(Dosi and Grazzi, 2009). Thus, technology transfer deals with the movement of knowledge in
relation to the utilization of a method of production or product. As stated by Derakhshani
(1984), technology transfer between companies occurs when a company acquires, develops
and uses a technological knowledge which originated from another company.
Nonaka and Takeuchi (1995) said that KT should be regarded as a transfer of explicit
or tacit knowledge between humans during their interactions. While tacit knowledge
varies with the organizational context, and individuals can only transfer such knowledge
during face-to-face interactions, data as well as formal speech can be used to express or
transfer explicit knowledge which is cognitive in nature (Wilkesmann et al., 2007).
World Journal of Science,
Technology and Sustainable
Development
Vol. 15 No. 4, 2018
pp. 325-337
© Emerald PublishingLimited
2042-5945
DOI10.1108/WJSTSD-04-2018-0023
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
www.emeraldinsight.com/2042-5945.htm
325
KT for
sustainability
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