Knowledge Transfer Risk Analysis: a Tool for Strategic Management of Inter Organizational Relationship

In worldwide economy, which is based on competition and cooperation between organizations, strategic management of Inter Organization Relationship (IOR) has a crucial role. Moreover, knowledge transfer in IOP is a crucial issue without which reaching such goals as joint innovation is impossible. However, sharing Knowledge is not risk-free and organizations might lose their competitive advantage if they transfer knowledge without any in depth consideration. The private and secret knowledge may transfer due to transfer process. The purpose on this study is to present a conceptual model that identifies key factors affecting knowledge transfer risk in IOR. Proposed model will provide guidelines for companies in identifying and measuring knowledge transfer risks and lastly will help them to achieve better management of IOR. In this regard, three key factors were identified as dimensions of suggested model. They consist: “collaboration related risks”, “network related risks” and “proximity related risks”. Proposed model is analyzed with second confirmatory factor analysis and Structural equation modeling in Qazvin province industries. The result shows that the network type is more important than other types.