The translator as agent in management knowledge transfer. (April 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tietze, Susanne; Tansley, Carole; Helienek, Emil
• Is Part Of: International journal of cross cultural management. Volume 17:Number 1(2017)
• Page Start: 151
• Page End: 169
• Publication Date: 2017-04
• Subjects: Cultural translation -- discursive void -- linguistic translation -- political translation -- Slovakia -- talent management -- translator; Corporate culture -- Periodicals; Cross-cultural studies -- Periodicals; International business enterprises -- Management -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; 658.049
• DOI: 10.1177/1470595817701509
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1470-5958

Abstract

We investigate the transfer of talent management knowledge to a Slovak manufacturing setting from a translation perspective. The translator is shown to be the key agent in the cross-national, cross-language knowledge transfer process, who not only provides linguistic translation but also provides cultural and political interpretation of key vocabularies. By drawing on different models of translation we show that (a) discourse and language cannot be separated in knowledge transfer interventions and (b) the translator is a key agent in shaping the transfer process by addressing the 'discursive void' that characterizes local experiences with, and knowledge about, talent management.