A Translation Theory of Knowledge Transfer

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.