Exploring the role of transactive memory system (TMS) for knowledge transfer processes in Malaysia E-government IT outsourcing

Abstract

Knowledge transfer has attracted much attention to researchers and practitioners in recent years since knowledge transfer has been considered as a critical determinant of an organization's capacity to confer sustainable competitive advantage. Despite extensive research on knowledge transfer issues, there is a dearth of research that has explicitly focused on the role of transactive memory in enabling intra-organizational knowledge transfer in information technology (IT) outsourcing context, particularly e-government IT outsourcing. Although the information systems literature has recently acknowledged the role of transactive memory plays in improving knowledge processes, most of the research is still in the basic concept of transactive memory which is emphasized more on the individual communication concept rather than integrating those concept with the existing organization memory system. Moreover, it is still at a conceptual level rather than practical action for a firm to address. Therefore, this paper attempts to fill this gap by examining the factors that have been cited as significant influences on the ability to transfer knowledge from the vendor to the client organizations in the context of e-government IT outsourcing, and examine the role of transactive memory system towards effective knowledge transfer process between organizations. Drawing on several theoretical streams, this paper will propose an integrated conceptual framework of inter-organizational knowledge transfer which further can be used for research enhancement.