Print this page
Knowledge Transfer in the Multi-Generational Workplace
Susan Nash1
1American Association of Petroleum Geologists
Knowledge Transfer in the Multi-Generational Workplace: While many studies have reported on the great "crew change" that is projected to occur in the next 3 - 10 years in the oil industry, very few have looked into the specific elements of the problem. A study was conducted to detail the types of knowledge generated and preserved by different generational groups, the mechanisms of knowledge transfer, the preferred communication styles used by each group, the attitudes toward technology, youth, experience, and authority, and finally, the sense of value attached to people and desired outcomes. The first step is to identify knowledge, technologies, information repositories and how they are transferred among very different groups in multi-generational energy industry workplaces. The next steps involve mapping generational groups to knowledge clusters and skill sets. Mapping of learning styles allows one to evaluate technology and preferred ways of communicating. What facilitates the transfer of information? What are the benefits? Who benefits? How? Where? When and how does the knowledge transfer bring about increased efficiencies, more productive teams, higher individual sense of self-efficacy, and more effective leadership? Labeling individuals by generation may be misleading; it may be more productive to classify individuals by their behaviors: "knowledge gatherers," "tool-builders," "24-7 instant texters," "curious probers," "image over text" and more. This presentation addresses knowledge transfer issues within the multigenerational workplace, and it compares and contrasts leadership roles and approaches, and discusses the most effective ways to develop knowledge transfer systems that enable organizations to achieve their goals and objectives.
AAPG Search and Discover Article #90097 © 2009 Tulsa Geological Society, Tulsa, Oklahoma
�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������