Knowledge transfer in international cooperation projects: experiences from a Dutch-Romanian project

The transfer of knowledge to reduce flood risk problems can be beneficial, but is often difficult. This paper shows how knowledge and interaction contribute to the transfer of knowledge in international cooperation projects. It presents a conceptual model of knowledge transfer and applies this to a case study project in which knowledge about the flood information and warning system FLIWAS was transferred from the Netherlands to Romania. The knowledge transfer was only partly effective: Romanian experts intend to further implement FLIWAS, but have not yet started using the project results. The case study confirms that transfer processes involve experts with diverging backgrounds who tend to experience difficulties in understanding each other. Intense forms of interaction enhance the transfer of knowledge, but do not necessarily help to overcome these differences. Previous collaboration experiences and interpersonal aspects are also likely to have a positive impact on the transfer of knowledge.