Knowledge transfer as the transformation of context

The significance of context has not escaped the attention of knowledge transfer theorists. Assuming that the more distant the source unit's knowledge from the recipient's institutional context is, the more difficult the transfer process will be, some researchers have suggested adaptation to the recipient's context as a means of reducing knowledge transfer stickiness. Adopting a social constructionist approach, the paper argues that the context and content of knowledge are intrinsically bound up. Rather than adaptation to the recipient's context, it is contented that the transfer of knowledge from one context to another entails the transformation of both the content and context of knowledge. As an illustration, the paper uses the suggested framework to re-interpret the case by Hurt and Hurt's [Hurt M and S Hurt (2005) ‘Transfer of managerial practices by French food retailers to operations in Poland’, Academy of Management Executive, May, pp. 37 – 49.] Transfer of managerial practices by French food retailers to operations in Poland. Implications of this study are discussed.