Factors influencing knowledge adoption in individual learning.

Abstract

This dissertation aims to investigate factors influencing knowledge adoption (intention to adopt knowledge) in individual learning as part of the knowledge transfer process. Relevant factors influencing knowledge adoption are first investigated. The study then explores the influence of knowledge adoption on the knowledge recipient’s cognitive learning. Impact of the cognitive learning strategies is also explored. This study utilized a quantitative approach whereby the proposed research framework was tested empirically by conducting a survey of 615 white-collar workers in Thailand. Results from the empirical analysis conducted show that the knowledge recipient’s intention to adopt knowledge can be enhanced by his/her perception about the usefulness of the transferred knowledge. Perceived knowledge usefulness of different groups of knowledge recipients can be influenced by different factors. Additionally, the results also demonstrate that the knowledge recipient’s intention to adopt knowledge can enhance his/her cognitive learning. The results also offer implication that utilizing cognitive learning strategies may not be beneficial to every knowledge recipient. Based on the findings of this study, management teams can understand how employees (as knowledge recipients) adopt knowledge into learning as part of the knowledge transfer process. Management teams can also understand the factors which can have influence on employees’ knowledge adoption. Management teams can learn how to utilize cognitive learning strategies for employees that have different intentions to adopt knowledge.