The use of social media in knowledge transfer in an innovative business environment

Abstract

Background: Knowledge transfer (KT) using social media (SM) in an innovative business environment (IBE) is trending and improving knowledge creation, elicitation, and organisational sustainability. This research aimed to explore the use of SM in KT in an innovative business environment. Method: This study assumed a pragmatic paradigm and abductive approach. A mixed methodological choice and a cross-sectional time horizon were selected. The data collection techniques adopted were a systematic literature review (SLR), participant interviews, and the Delphi technique. The SLR data were collected from various databases. Data from Publish or Perish were uploaded to VOSviewer to perform a bibliometric analysis. Thematic analysis (TA) was conducted in conjunction with ATLAS.ti Version 8 software and IBM-Statistic Package of the Social Science (SPSS) on data collected from the participant interviews and the Delphi technique, respectively. The axiology of the researcher was that of a practising educator in ICT, a training professional, and a business process analyst. Findings: Introducing readily available SM tools has significant potential in addressing the challenge of KT. Thus, an understanding of SM affordances in KT strategies in IBEs is becoming a priority. Conclusion: SM facilitates KT although the management thereof is becoming more complex in an IBE. Contributions: The study generated three contributions to the body of knowledge: Firstly, practical social media in the form of a KT framework to organisational practitioners; secondly, theory integration, useful to the novice researcher and leadership who want to improve KT strategies; and thirdly, a key methodological contribution in the form of a pragmatic paradigm using mixed methods choices for the collection and analysis of data and the interpretation of results.