System dynamics modelling for examining knowledge transfer during crises

The threat of organizational crises cannot be overlooked in today's complex business environment. During crises, organizations encounter unique, threatening and stress-inducing situations in which critical decisions must be made constantly in a timely manner based on limited information. Nevertheless, there have been very few studies engaging in exploring the theme of knowledge transfer in the context of managing organizational crises. Consequently, this study attempts to explore this issue with reference to a product recall crisis of a motorcycle manufacturer using the method of system dynamics modelling. The research findings illustrate the multiple knowledge transfer mechanisms used and their influence on organizational performance during crises as a means of distributing critical knowledge and facilitating the development of collective understanding within organizations. Future studies which aim to explore the dynamics of different types of knowledge being processed by means of various knowledge transfer mechanisms during crises are encouraged.