A relational view of knowledge transfer effectiveness in small new technology-based firms : an empirical analysis of a South African case

Abstract

The open innovation model often neglects the frictions that external knowledge flows could encounter when crossing organisational boundaries. This study recognises such barriers and investigates the impact of these barriers on knowledge transfer effectiveness by using data on small new technologybased firms (NTBFs) located in the emerging South African economy. The empirical results show that the characteristics of inter-organisational knowledge exchange relationships (organisational and technological similarity and contact frequency) do have an impact on the effectiveness of knowledge transfer. The findings stress the relevance of a relational approach, as factors derived from it act as barriers to effective knowledge transfer for small firms.