Old vs. Young- Who can Absorb More Knowledge? : An Empirical Study on Male Beneficiaries in NGOs

Abstract

[This article examines the impact of different age groups on knowledge absorption among the NGO (Non-Governmental Organisational) male-beneficiaries in Bangladesh. Knowledge transfer is a crucial element of Knowledge Management (KM) process. Successful knowledge absorption by the recipients means a successful knowledge transfer. The NGO-beneficiaries are the main actors who are engaged in receiving and absorption of the knowledge transferred by the NGOs. So it is imperative to know the knowledge absorption capacity of theirs (the beneficiaries). This study follows multi-staged sampling procedure. 14-NGOs (7 large and 7 small of the NGO Affairs Bureau enlisted NGOs) from each administrative division (there are seven administrative divisions in Bangladesh) of Bangladesh are purposefully selected. 54-semi-structured interviews consisting of top, middle and lower levels based on the salary grades (18X interviewees from each level) were interviewed. Simultaneously, 35 questionnaires among the beneficiarieswere also administered (5 from each administrative division, e.g. 5X7=35). Content analysis technique is used to analyse the interview transcript. The study finds that age group 36-55 years has more knowledge absorption capacity than those of below 20 and 21-35 years groups. Future researchers may conduct similar study in a different country]

Key Words: Knowledge Transfer, Knowledge Absorption, NGOs, Bangladesh