Knowledge sharing and knowledge transfer experiences among management staff in an oil palm company in Malaysia

Abstract

Knowledge management is considered a vital resource for organizations. This study was carried out to explore knowledge sharing and knowledge transfer experiences among management staff in an oil palm plantation company in Malaysia. This study also explored the impact of cultural factors on knowledge sharing and knowledge transfer practises. A review on literature shows many studies were conducted in knowledge sharing and knowledge transfer but less study was done in oil palm plantation in Malaysia. This study was done qualitatively via in-depth interviews and focus group discussion to explore and highlight the experience of the management staff in an oil palm plantation company in Malaysia. Purposive sampling technique were employed in the in-depth interviews and triangulated via focus group discussion. Data was analysed manually using thematic analysis. The result of the findings reveal that the awareness of knowledge sharing and knowledge transfer among the management staff in the oil palm company is high. The activities embraced by the management staff was categorised into formal activities and technology. Four cultural factors (leadership, trust, collaboration and organization structure) act as enablers for knowledge sharing and knowledge transfer initiatives.