Research on Knowledge Transfer Influencing Factors in Software Process Improvement

Knowledge transfer model of software process improvement (SPI) and the conceptual framework of influencing factors are established. The model includes five elements which are knowledge of transfer, sources of knowledge, recipients of knowledge, relationship of transfer parties, and the environment of transfer. The conceptual framework includes ten key factors which are ambiguity, systematism, transfer willingness, capacity of impartation, capacity of absorption, incentive mechanism, culture, technical support, trust and knowledge distance. The research hypotheses is put forward. Empirical study concludes that the trust relationship among SPI staffs has the greatest influence on knowledge transfer, and organizational incentive mechanism can produce positive effect to knowledge transfer of SPI. Finally, some suggestions are put forward to improve the knowledge transfer of SPI: establishing a rational incentive mechanism, executing some necessary training to transfer parties and using software benchmarking.