A Systematic Approach to Identifying Engineering Generational Knowledge Transfer Boundaries

As organisations evaluate increasing retirement rates coupled with the rate of entering engineers, there is a need to address the presence of generational knowledge transfer boundaries. These unidentified boundaries impede the strategic transfer of engineering and architectural knowledge (STEAK) required for continued engineering growth. Using an interdisciplinary approach to define the engineering generational knowledge transfer boundaries provided useful knowledge sharing characteristics and procedures which all generations and disciplines can utilise. This research study provided a level of insight not previously explored and presented a model that can be used to evaluate how organisations will react to and leverage the knowledge across generations. Specifically, this study helps close the generational knowledge transfer boundary research gap with proper identification of the engineering generational knowledge transfer boundaries. This will allow management to propose strategies to attract and retain the next generation of knowledge workers. The article discusses these findings in detail and summarises the results in a proposed STEAK model and framework.