The role of knowledge transfer in supply chain flexibility and performance

Abstract

This chapter proposes a structural equation model to analyze four latent variables: internal knowledge transfer, external knowledge transfer, supply chain flexibility, and supply chain performance. These variables are interrelated through three research hypotheses. The model is validated with data obtained through a questionnaire that was administered to 269 Mexican manufacturing companies. Then, the hypotheses are tested at a 95% confidence level using partial least squares. The results indicate that internal knowledge transfer has the most important direct effect on supply chain flexibility and the highest indirect effect on supply chain performance.