Fostering Knowledge Communication: Concept And Implementation

Rüdiger Reinhardt (University of St. Gallen, Institute for Media and Communications Management, Switzerland)

Beate Stattkus (University of St. Gallen, Institute for Media and Communications Management, Switzerland)

Abstract: The loss of an employee - voluntarily or involuntarily - represents a great risk of losing information and know how as well as breaks the natural knowledge flow. We developed the Knowledge Transfer Meeting Methodology in order to reduce the "brain drain" through a systematic hand-over. The Knowledge Transfer Meeting consists of five modules that support the retrieval and sharing of knowledge systematically and explicitly. The approach promotes a mentorship or partnership philosophy, motivating the leaving employee to share his or her knowledge and experience with a successor. For the implementation of the Knowledge Transfer Meeting Methodology in the company, we identify and train so-called "facilitators" who lead the participants through the process and hence support and spread the methodology within the company.

Keywords: knowledge management, knowledge tools, knowledge transfer

Categories: A.1, H.0, H.4.m