Knowledge Transfer Assessment in a Co-innovation Network

Abstract

Frequently, the innovation processes require knowledge in several domains that enterprises do not usually hold. In order to address this problem, the issue of the knowledge transfer in collaborative environments started to attract attention. In this context, the characterization and assessment of the knowledge transfer among members within a network is an important element for the wide adoption of the networked organizations paradigm. However, models for understanding the knowledge transfer in a collaborative environment are lacking. Starting with some discussion about the nature of knowledge production and transfer, this paper introduces an approach for analysing the level of maturity in terms of knowledge transfer in a collaborative network. Finally, based on experimental results from a Portuguese collaborative network, the Brisa case study, the benefits, challenges and difficulties found are presented and discussed.