Is Transfer of Training Related to Firm Performance?

The purpose of this study was to bridge the gap between micro-training research on the transfer of training and macro-training research on training and firm performance by testing the relationship between transfer of training and firm performance. Training and development professionals completed a survey about the training methods used in their organization (on-the-job, classroom, computer-based), the transfer of training, and their firm's performance. The results indicated that transfer of training was positively related to firm performance and mediated the relationship between training methods and firm performance. The results also suggest that among the three training methods, on-the-job training was the most strongly related to transfer of training and firm performance. These results highlight the importance of transfer of training for firm performance and suggest that meaningful organizational outcomes can be obtained by implementing training programs and strategies to facilitate and improve the transfer of training.