Knowing How To Know: A Case Study on the Role of Knowledge Transfer Practices in Product Innovation

Abstract: The purpose of this thesis is to identify differences in knowledge transfer practices with regard to market knowledge between development of radical and incremental product innovations. The thesis aims to contribute to the current body of literature by addressing a current academic uncertainty regarding how market knowledge is transferred internally in relation to degrees of innovation. From a practical perspective it should help organizations identify knowledge transfer practices relevant to their innovation goals, be they radical or incremental.Three knowledge transfer practices were identified which are applied in different ways, depending on whether the developed product innovation is radical or incremental. These findings have practical implications as they can offer managers advice on how to use these practices, depending on whether they want to focus on the development of radical or incremental innovations.