Prigojin, I., A.R.O. Volcani Center, POB 6, Bet Dagan 20250, Israel
Gal, Y., Bina, B.Y. Nihul Ltd., Israel

A research study in a dynamic, time-varying environment found that senior management decisions in themselves are not sufficient to control quality within an agricultural research organization, specifically, the Volcani Research Center, of the Agricultural Research Organization (ARO), of the Israeli Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. The findings regarding knowledge transfer in the ARO are that: hierarchical barriers impede the vertical transfer processes; barriers between departments impede the horizontal transfer processes; and barriers impede knowledge transfer to and from a newcomer into a position. However, informal knowledge transfer via unofficial networks proceeds horizontally as well as vertically at all levels. The findings are important, both to senior management and to researchers and other team members, because the effect of tight coupling among the working processes is usually ignored, and an analysis that treated these processes individually would lack an important attribute. In order to improve knowledge transfer within the ARO it is necessary to reduce the reward effect and minimize the trust gap. In addition, specific measures should be introduced, to enhance the knowledge transfer process. Such a measure could be the appointment of a Chief Knowledge Officer (CKO).