Knowledge Transfer and Capacity for Dissemination: A Review and Proposals for Further Research on Academic Knowledge Transfer

The process of knowledge transfer has been extensively studied in the context of a variety of theoretical considerations. In this paper the authors adopt a communication theory perspective and focus on capacity for dissemination. Many studies assume that universities are able to disseminate and commercialize their knowledge (and technology). However, it has been shown in practice that dissemination and commercialization can be problematic. Following a review of the literature, the authors identify four topics connected with dissemination capacity: (1) the purpose of knowledge transfer; (2) the transformation of knowledge; (3) the importance of valuable knowledge from a respectable source; and (4) issues of network and inter-organizational dynamics that offer suggestions for further research. For each of these four topics, propositions are formulated as signposts for further studies and the implications for research in this area are outlined. (Contains 1 table.)