COMPETITIVENESS OF BASQUE HIGH-TECH FIRMS INDUCED BY KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER CONDITIONS: MULTIVARIATE DATA ANALYSIS EMPIRICAL RESEARCH

Abstract

Knowledge transfer (KT) is a phenomenon linked to business performance particularly relevant for high-tech companies whose viability depends on characteristics and handling of knowledge assets. Tracing connection between KT dynamics and competitiveness is a current field of research which should be tackled with more extensiveness with the final purpose of bringing to light the keys for more efficient business management and a fair social and economic development. This research aims to demonstrate empirically that there is compelling evidence of such engagement, and that the intellectual and financial capital of a high-tech firm is sharply increased thanks to the efficient management of the global phenomenon of KT along a sustained period of time. Following a methodology based on a quantitative research approach, we carry out a survey among manufacturing and development high-tech companies in the Basque region of Spain in order to execute data mining processes with the answers using techniques of multi-variant analysis. The results obtained let us prove that the sheer existence of suitable organizational features and mechanisms for KT does not entail a better business performance, since the KT mechanisms must be properly designed, implemented and operated. However, the lack of appropriate conditions for KT does speed the organization towards an underperforming stage with consequent loss of competitiveness. The research results also show a clear disorientation of the companies when it comes to plan, structure, organize and operate KT dynamics, with the finding that a company committed to innovation has actually a chance of less than 50% of being successful by leveraging the power of KT when translating it to business performance. Implications can be laid: high-tech entities should take in and adopt practices for efficient KT as part of the business strategy, and public policies and other stakeholders should provide awareness, understanding, and encouragement on the issue Key Words: Knowledge transfer, competitiveness, high-tech firms, business performance, knowledge transfer attributes and mechanisms