The factors influencing the improvement of individual capability in knowledge transfer : the case of the Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (AOT)

Abstract

With globalization, the development of information, communication, and technology has changed the world rapidly. Globalization has made the world a smaller place. It is not possible in the contemporary world to stand still; rather the process of transformation requires a response. Advancement in information technology has brought about rapid globalization and this requires formulization and re-evaluation of every functional aspect in the new world. Many organizations have to encounter a competitive environment and workers need to learn new skills. Both the public and private sectors have to face this challenge. In this regard, the Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited, which is in the public sector, must survive in this competitive environment as well. Thus, it is essential to take action in order to implement new techniques, methods of administration, and management procedures. In particular, knowledge is no exception as a requirement for change because it is considered as a key to achievement over competitors. Because the areas of knowledge especially the knowledge transfer that was one of the essential tools to manage knowledge assets is broadly acknowledged and questionable, it is a challenge to explore that factors that influence individual capability regarding knowledge transfer. In this study, there are 4 objectives: 1) to assess the improvement of individual capability in AOT’s knowledge transfer; 2) to identify the factors that impact the improvement of the individual’s capability to achieve knowledge transfer at AOT; 3) to explain the relationship levels of the factors for the improvement of individual capability in AOT’s knowledge transfer; and 4) to recommend appropriate management alternatives for utilizing key lessons for the improvement of the individual’s to transfer knowledge at AOT. Self-administered survey questionnaires were conducted to identify the critical factors in the improvement of the individual’s capability to achieve knowledge transfer. Employees working at the Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited were the target population of this study, and the population consisted of 500 employees; 460 questionnaires were usable, with a 92.0 percent rate of return in April, 2013. The questionnaires were comprised of 3 sections: demographic data, the factors influencing the improvement of the individual’s capability to transfer knowledge, and the improvement of the individual’s capability regarding knowledge transfer. In addition, mechanistic structure, organic structure, training, incentives, and information technology were the variables that influenced the improvement of the individual’s capability to transfer knowledge. To determine the degree of agreement of each item, a five-point Likert scale was used in this study. In the study, stepwise regression analysis was used to investigate the factors that impacted the improvement of individual capability in AOT’s knowledge transfer. The findings revealed that all of the factors (mechanistic structure, organic structure, training, incentives, and information technology) were significant in influencing the improvement of the individual’s capability at AOT to transfer knowledge. This dissertation suggests that all five variables should be highly recognized in terms of the improvement of the individual’s capability to achieve knowledge transfer. Human resource management and the organizations’ policy makers can formulate applicable strategies in order to enhance greater action for AOT’s employees for improvement in the area of knowledge transfer.