Knowledge Transfer Conceptualization and Scale Development in IT Outsourcing: The Initial Scale Validation

Abstract

Previous studies focused on business related knowledge transfer from the background of multinational companies and international joint venture with emphasize on factors that impeded the knowledge transfer process. However, empirical research regarding technical knowledge transfer in the context of public agencies IT outsourcing is inconclusive. This occurs because most of the knowledge transfer research approach was in-depth case studies. A few empirical studies that claimed to conceptualize and operationalize the knowledge transfer remain a theoretical conjecture. The use of concepts such as absorptive capacity and knowledge creation as a proxy for measuring the transfer of knowledge raises the shortcoming of the knowledge transfer measurements made in the literature. Therefore, the objective of this study is to identify the knowledge transfer measurement item that suitable with the context of IT outsourcing. Data was gathered through a survey among 180 IT scheme staff at three e-government lead agencies in Malaysia was done. The research employed descriptive and factor analysis to confirm that the measurement is valid as well as reliable. The results of this study confirmed that knowledge transfer in IT outsourcing context is multidimensional construct. As such, the proposed scale of knowledge transfer constitutes a valid and reliable measurement for future use in the scientific community in future empirical research.