Integrating knowledge transfer and computer-mediated communication: categorizing barriers and possible responses

Communication is at the heart of knowledge transfer (KT). But studies of KT barriers do not explicitly consider the relationship and impact of specific communication modalities on KT. The modalities of computer-mediated communication (CMC), namely email, Voice Over Internet Protocol, Instant Messaging (IM) and the like are generally viewed as a group ‘CMC’. In this paper, we analyze the KT literature to distill 21 key barriers to successful KT. These barriers are then categorized according to basic communication theory. We then examine leading theories of CMC and discuss how based on these theories individual CMC modalities can be applied to KT barriers. We conclude with a model that presents the categorized KT barriers in a communication channel model that can be addressed by CMC modalities and that can potentially break down those barriers.