Relationships Between Generational Handover Protocols, Knowledge Transfer Behavior, and Key Organizational Outcomes

(1) Background: This paper examines the relationships between generational handover protocols, knowledge transfer behavior, and key organizational outcomes. (2) Methods: A quantitative design was applied, using non-parametric tests and partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) on...

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Main Authors: Elene Igoa-Iraola, Fernando Díez, José Miguel Román
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Systems
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2079-8954/13/7/497
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author Elene Igoa-Iraola
Fernando Díez
José Miguel Román
author_facet Elene Igoa-Iraola
Fernando Díez
José Miguel Román
author_sort Elene Igoa-Iraola
collection DOAJ
description (1) Background: This paper examines the relationships between generational handover protocols, knowledge transfer behavior, and key organizational outcomes. (2) Methods: A quantitative design was applied, using non-parametric tests and partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) on survey data from 168 employees in companies located in the Basque Country. (3) Results: The presence of formal knowledge transfer protocols and generational handover processes was significantly associated with greater employee knowledge-tranfer behaviors. These behaviors, in turn, had significant positive effects on organizational innovation and job performance. Although moderate correlations were observed with strategy, performance, and competitive advantage, the structural model did not confirm direct relationships. (4) Conclusions: Despite their strategic importance, many organizations still lack formalized mechanisms for knowledge preservation. This study offers a framework for understanding the impact of structured knowledge transfer practices on organizational performance and suggests avenues for future research in knowledge continuity and succession planning.
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series Systems
spelling doaj-art-802db24ee4cd44a7830f2f4cfb490e742025-08-20T03:56:46ZengMDPI AGSystems2079-89542025-06-0113749710.3390/systems13070497Relationships Between Generational Handover Protocols, Knowledge Transfer Behavior, and Key Organizational OutcomesElene Igoa-Iraola0Fernando Díez1José Miguel Román2Department of Health Sciences, Deusto University, 48007 Bilbao, SpainDepartment of Education and Sport, Deusto University, 48007 Bilbao, SpainFagor Ederlan—Edertek Technology Center, 20540 Eskoriatza, Spain(1) Background: This paper examines the relationships between generational handover protocols, knowledge transfer behavior, and key organizational outcomes. (2) Methods: A quantitative design was applied, using non-parametric tests and partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) on survey data from 168 employees in companies located in the Basque Country. (3) Results: The presence of formal knowledge transfer protocols and generational handover processes was significantly associated with greater employee knowledge-tranfer behaviors. These behaviors, in turn, had significant positive effects on organizational innovation and job performance. Although moderate correlations were observed with strategy, performance, and competitive advantage, the structural model did not confirm direct relationships. (4) Conclusions: Despite their strategic importance, many organizations still lack formalized mechanisms for knowledge preservation. This study offers a framework for understanding the impact of structured knowledge transfer practices on organizational performance and suggests avenues for future research in knowledge continuity and succession planning.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-8954/13/7/497knowledge transfergenerational handover protocolsknowledge-tranfer behaviororganizational innovationjob performance
spellingShingle Elene Igoa-Iraola
Fernando Díez
José Miguel Román
Relationships Between Generational Handover Protocols, Knowledge Transfer Behavior, and Key Organizational Outcomes
Systems
knowledge transfer
generational handover protocols
knowledge-tranfer behavior
organizational innovation
job performance
title Relationships Between Generational Handover Protocols, Knowledge Transfer Behavior, and Key Organizational Outcomes
title_full Relationships Between Generational Handover Protocols, Knowledge Transfer Behavior, and Key Organizational Outcomes
title_fullStr Relationships Between Generational Handover Protocols, Knowledge Transfer Behavior, and Key Organizational Outcomes
title_full_unstemmed Relationships Between Generational Handover Protocols, Knowledge Transfer Behavior, and Key Organizational Outcomes
title_short Relationships Between Generational Handover Protocols, Knowledge Transfer Behavior, and Key Organizational Outcomes
title_sort relationships between generational handover protocols knowledge transfer behavior and key organizational outcomes
topic knowledge transfer
generational handover protocols
knowledge-tranfer behavior
organizational innovation
job performance
url https://www.mdpi.com/2079-8954/13/7/497
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AT fernandodiez relationshipsbetweengenerationalhandoverprotocolsknowledgetransferbehaviorandkeyorganizationaloutcomes
AT josemiguelroman relationshipsbetweengenerationalhandoverprotocolsknowledgetransferbehaviorandkeyorganizationaloutcomes