Successful innovation diffusion process may well take
the form of knowledge transfer process. Therefore, the
primary objectives of this paper include: first, to
evaluate the interrelations between transfer of
knowledge and diffusion of innovation; and second to
develop a model to establish a connection between the
two. This has been achieved using a four-step approach.
The first step of the approach is to assess and discuss
the theories relating to knowledge transfer (KT) and
innovation diffusion (ID). The second step focuses on
developing basic models for KT and ID, based on the key
theories surrounding these areas. A considerable amount
of literature has been written on the association
between knowledge management and innovation, the
respective fields of KT and ID. The next step,
therefore, explores the relationship between innovation
and knowledge management in order to identify the
connections between the latter, i.e. KT and ID. Finally,
step four proposes and develops an integrated model for
KT and ID. As the developed model suggests the
sub-processes of knowledge transfer can be connected to
the innovation diffusion process in several instances as
discussed and illustrated in the paper. 2012
