A comparative study to use knowledge management models in the technology transfer process

One of the main challenges of technology transfer in Iran is the imperfect transfer of humanware and orgaware. This study sought a model for applying knowledge management to solve the challenge of technology transfer.

This comparative-analytical study was performed from 2020 to 2021. Library resources included articles, books, case reports, industrial reports and dissertations with keywords related to "technology transfer" and "knowledge management" published from 1990 to 2021 in Persian and English extracted in SID, Magiran, Civilica, RICeST, Irandoc, ISI, Science Direct, Google Scholar, Springer databases.

 Technology transfer and knowledge management models were initially studied descriptive-analytically. Then, five knowledge management models that met the criteria were adapted to the six phases of the technology transfer process in a comparative-analytic study.

Adaptation of the five models with six phases of acquisition, adaptation, absorption, application, development and dissemination of technology showed that none of the models alone are responsive to the considerations of technology transfer phases due to the complexity of technology transfer process. Therefore, a combination of several models was proposed to be adapted for each technology transfer phase.

A combination of four knowledge management models including 5W1H, SCPTS, EKMM and Bhatt in accordance with the six phases of technology transfer can increase the chance of complete transfer.