Title: Knowledge transfer between parties of asymmetric knowledge and information: the case of the Bristol Bay sustainable energy programme

Authors: Iris Berdrow; Tom Marsik

Addresses: Bentley University, 175 Forest St., Waltham, MA 02452, USA ' Bristol Bay Environmental Science Lab, University of Alaska Fairbanks Bristol Bay Campus, P.O. Box 1070, Dillingham, AK 99576, USA

Abstract: This project explores the facilitators and barriers to effective knowledge transfer between parties with asymmetric and incomplete information (Lin et al., 2005). It is intended to close a gap in our understanding of how to effectively share knowledge between parties that do not have the same base knowledge, culture, or motivation. The specific context is that of sustainable energy practices in Alaska as facilitated by University of Alaska Fairbanks Bristol Bay Campus efforts at community outreach. This is set within the broader mandate of; a) sustainable energy practices aimed at reducing cost and reliance on finite energy resources; b) the native communities desire to rebalance traditional and westernised ways of living in local communities.

Keywords: knowledge transfer; sustainable energy practices; renewable energy sources; energy efficiency; asymmetric knowledge; Alaska; asymmetric information; knowledge sharing; community outreach; native communities; local communities; indigenous peoples; tradition; culture.

DOI: 10.1504/IER.2015.069410

Interdisciplinary Environmental Review, 2015 Vol.16 No.1, pp.46 - 62

Received: 29 Jul 2014
Accepted: 29 Jan 2015
Published online: 14 May 2015 *

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