Solving the Ghanaian knowledge transfer puzzle: A comparative analysis

Both formal and informal mechanisms of knowledge transfer (KT) from universities to firms are found to form the bedrock of firm’s external knowledge sources and may be used by firms to support internally generated knowledge. This paper examines cross-sectional survey data with a sample of 533 firms the primary, manufacturing and service sectors in Ghana using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling. We look at the influence of both formal and informal mechanisms of university knowledge transfer and how they affect innovation performance in firms across the Ghanaian primary, manufacturing, and service sectors.

We report that firms make use of both formal and informal KT mechanisms through mediating mechanisms. Some of the firms may be restricted to more specific KT mechanisms due to reasons such a lack of technical capabilities, low absorptive capacities, and certain socio-cultural factors. The findings highlight the significance of strengthening internal resource capabilities of firms in sectors that are considered to lag others in Ghana, due to their comparatively low knowledge capabilities and those that are weak in the areas of human and financial capabilities. Implicitly, policy makers and innovation managers in Ghana have a fundamental duty to combat negative socio-cultural dynamics that hinder knowledge transfer to achieve a ‘synergy effect’ to enhance innovation performance in firms.