Empirical experimentation for validating the usability of knowledge packages in transferring innovations

Transfer of research results following to technological innovation and to the experience collected in applying the innovation within an enterprise is a key success factor. A critical factor in transferring innovations to software processes concerns the knowledge transfer activity which requires the knowledge be explicit and understandable by stakeholders. As so many researchers have been studying alternative ways to conventional approaches i.e. books, papers, reports and other written communication means that favour knowledge acquisition on behalf of users. In this context, we propose the Knowledge Package (KP) structure as alternative. We have carried out an experiment which compared the usability of the proposed approach with conventional ones, along with the efficiency and the comprehensibility of the knowledge enclosed in a KP rather than in a set of Conventional Sources. The experiment has pointed out that knowledge packages are more efficient than conventional ones, for knowledge transfer. The experiment has been described according to guidelines that allow for replications. In this way other researchers can confirm or refute the results and enforce their validity. © 2008 Springer-Verlag.