Exploring knowledge transfer in the media industry

Abstract

In the upcoming years, many organizations will face the challenge of intergenerational knowledge transfer. This paper reports on a study that investigates this type of knowledge handover in a media company. We particularly focus on knowledge transfer processes, methods and procedures as well as factors influencing respective activities. Five retirees and five successors were interviewed. Results show that in the investigated organization best-practice knowledge management plays a rather tangential role, structured retention programs are missing, and supported knowledge transfer initiatives are rare. However, influencing factors do not differ from previous study results. Retirees transfer their knowledge relying on basic conversations, tandem learning and shadowing. Furthermore, they strongly believe in an informal learning-by-doing approach, while mentoring is completely absent. With respect to the knowledge transfer process, the study shows that although activities follow rather informal procedures, they may be explained by existing knowledge management theories such as Nonaka and Takeuchi’s SECI model.