May, Puffer and Puffer (2005)

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May, Puffer and Puffer (2005) - Transferring management knowledge to Russia: A culturally based approach

There is a four-step process of accepting, understanding, communicating and implementing information, derived from the Rayster Group's Approach to Knowledge Transfer.

Context

Current managers' attitudes are based on the former Soviet system, so when they are being trained to deal with the economic transition, they are not beginning with a clean slate and it is difficult for someone to unlearn what they know.

Attitudes of managers include risk avoidance (they like to be able to predict the future, so a change in management practice is easily rejected. It also means rule-breaking never happens), mistrust, no initiative and hoarding information and power.

The Rayster Group realised that a "back to basics" approach, grounded in explicit knowledge was necessary for successful transition.

Lessons

Recommendations for transfer