Knowledge transfer across borders in a global management consulting firm: A case study of international knowledge transfer within a business unit

Abstract: The strategic importance of knowledge has increased over the last decades and knowledge has emerged as a crucial asset. In knowledge-based organizations, the activities for transferring knowledge are vital for the long-term profitability and competitiveness. The purpose of this thesis is to study how a global management consulting firm transfers knowledge across national borders. The international knowledge transferring process within a business unit is investigated, and empirical data is primarily collected from qualitative interviews with employees at multiple levels within the studied company. The results suggest that in order to transfer knowledge within a management consulting firm across borders, social interaction between the source and the recipient is vital. Within the knowledge transferring process different channels were used with varying importance, and the channels that allow for social interaction such as cross border teams and networks, proved to be the most important.