IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jmathe/v13y2025i2p294-d1569636.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Knowledge Flow Dynamics in Organizations: A Stochastic Multi-Scale Analysis of Learning Barriers

Author

Listed:
  • Jih-Jeng Huang

    (Department of Computer Science & Information Management, Soochow University, No. 56, Section 1, Kueiyang Street, Chungcheng District, Taipei City 100, Taiwan)

  • Chin-Yi Chen

    (Department of Business Administration, Chung Yuan Christian University, No. 200, Zhongbei Rd., Zhongli District, Taoyuan City 320, Taiwan)

Abstract

Organizations face fundamental challenges in managing knowledge flows across complex networks, yet existing frameworks often lack quantitative tools for optimization. We develop a novel stochastic multi-scale model introducing knowledge flow viscosity (KFV) to analyze organizational learning dynamics. This model quantifies resistance to knowledge transfer using a time-varying viscosity tensor, capturing both continuous learning processes and discrete knowledge acquisition events. Through renormalization group analysis, we establish the existence of critical thresholds in knowledge diffusion rates, characterizing phase transitions in organizational learning capacity. Numerical simulations demonstrate that targeted reductions in communication barriers near these thresholds can significantly enhance knowledge flow efficiency. The findings provide a mathematical foundation for understanding multi-level knowledge flow dynamics, suggesting precise conditions for effective interventions to optimize learning in complex organizational systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Jih-Jeng Huang & Chin-Yi Chen, 2025. "Knowledge Flow Dynamics in Organizations: A Stochastic Multi-Scale Analysis of Learning Barriers," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-23, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jmathe:v:13:y:2025:i:2:p:294-:d:1569636
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7390/13/2/294/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7390/13/2/294/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Gautam Ahuja & Giuseppe Soda & Akbar Zaheer, 2012. "The Genesis and Dynamics of Organizational Networks," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 23(2), pages 434-448, April.
    2. Argote, Linda & Ingram, Paul, 2000. "Knowledge Transfer: A Basis for Competitive Advantage in Firms," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 82(1), pages 150-169, May.
    3. Gerald C. Kane & Maryam Alavi, 2007. "Information Technology and Organizational Learning: An Investigation of Exploration and Exploitation Processes," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 18(5), pages 796-812, October.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Boeker, Warren & Howard, Michael D. & Basu, Sandip & Sahaym, Arvin, 2021. "Interpersonal relationships, digital technologies, and innovation in entrepreneurial ventures," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 125(C), pages 495-507.
    2. Modic, Dolores & Suklan, Jana, 2023. "Intellectual property coordinators' cohorts: A study into the imprints in university technology transfer," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 52(8).
    3. Linda Argote & Ella Miron-Spektor, 2011. "Organizational Learning: From Experience to Knowledge," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 22(5), pages 1123-1137, October.
    4. Adam M. Kleinbaum, 2018. "Reorganization and Tie Decay Choices," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 64(5), pages 2219-2237, May.
    5. Sseruyange, J. & Bulte, E., 2018. "Do Incentives matter for Knowledge Diffusion? Experimental Evidence from Uganda," 2018 Conference, July 28-August 2, 2018, Vancouver, British Columbia 275896, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
    6. Shahid Qureshi & Sarfraz Mian, 2021. "Transfer of entrepreneurship education best practices from business schools to engineering and technology institutions: evidence from Pakistan," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 46(2), pages 366-392, April.
    7. Guiyang Zhang, 2021. "Employee co-invention network dynamics and firm exploratory innovation: the moderation of employee co-invention network centralization and knowledge-employee network equilibrium," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 126(9), pages 7811-7836, September.
    8. Haradhan Kumar MOHAJAN, 2019. "Knowledge Sharing among Employees in Organizations," Journal of Economic Development, Environment and People, Alliance of Central-Eastern European Universities, vol. 8(1), pages 52-61, March.
    9. Caligiuri, Paula & Bonache, Jaime, 2016. "Evolving and enduring challenges in global mobility," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 51(1), pages 127-141.
    10. Young-Choon Kim & Taekjin Shin & Sangchan Park, 2021. "Enhancing firm performance through intra-group managerial experience: Evidence from group-affiliated firms in Korea," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 38(2), pages 435-465, June.
    11. Mário Franco & Lurdes Esteves & Margarida Rodrigues, 2024. "Clusters as a Mechanism of Sharing Knowledge and Innovation: Case Study from a Network Approach," Global Business Review, International Management Institute, vol. 25(2), pages 377-400, April.
    12. Zhu, Hongmiao & Jin, Zhen & Yan, Xin, 2023. "A dynamics model of coupling transmission for multiple different knowledge in multiplex networks," Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, Elsevier, vol. 629(C).
    13. Wang, Haiying & Moore, Jack Murdoch & Wang, Jun & Small, Michael, 2021. "The distinct roles of initial transmission and retransmission in the persistence of knowledge in complex networks," Applied Mathematics and Computation, Elsevier, vol. 392(C).
    14. Gabriela Citlalli López-Torres & Gonzalo Maldonado Guzmán & Sandra Yesenia Pinzón Castro & Ricardo García Ramírez, 2016. "Collaboration and innovation activities in SMEs," Contaduría y Administración, Accounting and Management, vol. 61(3), pages 568-581, Julio-Sep.
    15. Latukha, M. & Veselova, A. & Selivanovskikh, L. & Artukh, E. & Mitskevich, E., 2016. "Re-thinking the role of talent management in a firm’s performance: Talent management practices and absorptive capacity," Working Papers 6442, Graduate School of Management, St. Petersburg State University.
    16. Flemming Sørensen & Jan Mattsson, 2016. "Speeding Up Innovation: Building Network Structures For Parallel Innovation," International Journal of Innovation Management (ijim), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 20(02), pages 1-30, February.
    17. Gaonkar, Shweta & Mele, Angelo, 2023. "A model of inter-organizational network formation," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 214(C), pages 82-104.
    18. Wright, Mike & Clarysse, Bart & Lockett, Andy & Knockaert, Mirjam, 2008. "Mid-range universities' linkages with industry: Knowledge types and the role of intermediaries," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 37(8), pages 1205-1223, September.
    19. Maarten B.T. de Groot & Oli R. Mihalache & Tom Elfring, 2022. "Toward a Theory of Family Social Capital in Wealthy Transgenerational Enterprise Families," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 46(1), pages 159-192, January.
    20. Chen, Feiqiong & Liu, Huiqian & Ge, Yuhao, 2021. "How does integration affect industrial innovation through networks in technology-sourcing overseas M&A? A comparison between China and the US," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 122(C), pages 281-292.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jmathe:v:13:y:2025:i:2:p:294-:d:1569636. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.