Study On Model And Risk Management Of Knowledge Transfer In Enterprise Information Technology Outsourcing

Information technology(IT) outsourcing has become an emerging strategic approach to optimize IT resource. Because of the inseparability of information and technologies, IT outsourcing is frequently accompanied by wider transformations in client enterprise's professional knowledge and complicated information technology. This results in the need of knowledge transfer and organizational collaboration in IT outsourcing. Knowledge transfer activities in IT outsourcing are studied from knowledge management perspective. Three types of knowledge relationship in IT outsourcing are defined and analyzed. Knowledge transfer model of each IT outsourcing knowledge relationship is constructed. Knowledge transfer risks are also analyzed and countermeasures are proposed. It is significative for enhancing the knowledge transfer between enterprise and IT supplier, heightening the knowledge management level, and implementing successful IT outsourcing.Firstly, the characteristics and the content of knowledge transfer in IT outsourcing are analyzed. At the same time, the influencing factors of knowledge transfer are analyzed and concluded, such as the particularity of the knowledge, the specialties of the knowledge transfer participator, the channel and method of knowledge transfer, and the stimulant in knowledge transfer.Secondly, three types of knowledge relationship in IT outsourcing are defined from knowledge management perspective, including knowledge supportive IT outsourcing, knowledge reliant IT outsourcing and knowledge collaborative IT outsourcing, which are differentiated from three criterions: exclusive use of knowledge, knowledge fluidity and knowledge reliability. Also, the characteristics of each knowledge relationship in IT outsourcing are analyzed.Thirdly, knowledge transfer model under each knowledge relationship in IT outsourcing are constructed. The basic elements in each knowledge transfer model are analyzed, including main participants of knowledge transfer, knowledge-flow in IT outsourcing, knowledge transfer process, knowledge transfer channel and the key problems of knowledge transfer in IT outsourcing. On a basis of the foregoing research, a game theoretic analysis of each knowledge relationship in IT outsourcing is presented.Finally, knowledge transfer risks in IT outsourcing are studied, including six aspects: the knowledge transfer capability of the client firm and IT service provider, collaboration risk, knowledge loss risk, intellectual property risk, knowledge divulgence risk and weakening the technology innovation capability risk. After that, suggestions are given to prevent and reduce these risks.