Extending Cross-Generational Knowledge Flow Research in Edge Organizations *

Abstract

Abstract : Today's organizations need to be adaptive and agile in order to deal with the rapidly changing environment and competitive pressures. Part of the challenge in doing so is examining the knowledge flows and knowledge gaps within the organizations, especially cross-generational knowledge flows. This paper is an extension of the authors' previous work in cross-generational knowledge flow research in edge organizations. Specifically, the current research is applying ontologies in this domain to then construct a survey instrument for application in two edge-like case organizations (one in the military and one in industry). Social/organizational network analysis is then used to gain insight into cross-generational knowledge flows in these organizations in order to recommend findings on the critical success factors needed to ensure positive cross-generational knowledge flows in edge organizations.