Personal networks and knowledge transfer in inter-organizational networks

Purpose: To test the transfer of good practices under the effect of various aspects of personal
networks. Whereas the majority of former work considers a direct effect of networks on
knowledge transfer, we examined two intermediate mechanisms: the access to strategic
resources and the individual’s absorptive capacity.
Design/methodology/approach: To collect data, we used a quantitative study via a face-toface
questionnaire with key-individuals in SMEs members of consortia in Tunisia. We
analysed data with a structural equations approach, based on PLS-PM techniques.
Findings: Results emphasize the impact of network size, strength of ties and absorptive
capacity on the strategic resource access and the impact of indirect ties, strength and range of
ties on the absorptive capacity. Moreover, while absorptive capacity positively impacts good
practice transfer, no support was found to the effect of resource access.
Research limitations/implications: The main limitation of this study concerns the measuring
of good practice transfer since in literature there are often imprecise proxies. Also, while we
have investigated the global impact of strategic resources, future research needs to treat them
separately. Finally, a longitudinal study allows to better capture the evolution of the
phenomenon studied.
Practical implications: Top management and directors at a consortium level need to pay
careful attention to the social context within which knowledge transfer efforts occur.
Resources exchanged and the absorptive capacity developed through social interactions must
be designed to increase knowledge flows between firms.
Originality/value: The paper links two bodies of research often studied separately in interorganizational
research: literature on social networks and that on inter-organizational
learning. We hope to contribute to a cross-fertilization of the two fields.
Keywords: Transfer of good practices- Personal network - Strategic resource access -
Absorptive capacity - PLS analysis
Paper type: Research paper