Abstract:
Understanding and managing the knowledge transfer process in sport
organizations is an essential component to enhance organizational capacity. Very little
research on either capacity or knowledge transfer within a sport organization exists.
Consequently, the purpos e of this qualitative case study was to, examine the transfer of
knowledge process within a major games host society. Specifically, two research goals
guided the study: 1) To develop a model to explain a knowledge t r ans f e r process in a
non-profit ma jor games hos t organization and 2) To examine the relevance of the model
to a Canada Games Hos t Society. Data we r e collected from interviews with middle and
senior level volunteers as well as senior s t a f f members (n= 27), document s and
observations. The findings indicated three barriers to knowledge transfer: structural,
systemic, and cultural. As a result of the findings a revised model for knowledge transfer
wa s proposed that included modifications related to the direction of knowledge flow,
timing of the knowledge transfer process, and group inter-relations. Implications
identified the importance of intuition managers, time and organizational levels for
successful knowledge transfer. Recommendations for future host societies and the
Canada Games Council are presented.
