Abstracts Business

Critical factors influencing knowledge exchange between global STEM organizations

by Joseph Andrew Glowitz

This research identifies critical factors that influence knowledge exchange between knowledge workers in professional organizations in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The influence of boundary systems on global knowledge exchange between organizations was also studied. The significance of the research was to establish the critical relationships so that best practices could be suggested for STEM organizations. Theoretical lenses that guided this research included absorptive capacity theory, boundary spanning theory, cultural dimension theory, and trust theory. These theoretical lenses focused on organizations engaged in global knowledge exchange. The study’s methodology employed an evidence-based research synthesis approach and systematic review technique with configurative thematic synthesis. The study’s findings identified ten critical factors that influence knowledge exchange between global STEM organizations. Findings also identified boundary system influences on global knowledge exchange, and the pivotal role that the level of trust between and within organizations has in global knowledge exchange. The research led to recommended management practices for practitioners in STEM organizations to improve their ability to facilitate global knowledge exchange within communities of practice.