Abstract: Knowledge is an important strategic resource for organizations to gain competitive advantage, and technicians are important carriers of knowledge, so the mobility of technicians between organizations is receiving more and more attention as an important way to transfer individual knowledge to organizations. In order to clarify the knowledge transfer process and improve the knowledge transfer effect, this paper investigates the factors affecting the knowledge transfer results in this scenario based on the perspective of technician mobility. This study uses patent data in the semiconductor manufacturing field to identify technician mobility for empirical evidence to examine the relationship between technological distance, technological diversity and knowledge transfer. The study shows that technological distance between technicians and new organizations is negatively related to knowledge transfer effects; while the level of technological diversity in new organizations enhances the effect of technological distance on knowledge transfer effects. Therefore, for organizations focusing on diversified strategy, talents in similar technology fields should be preferred, while organizations focusing on single-point technological breakthroughs can appropriately select talents with more heterogeneous knowledge.

Key words: Technician mobility, Knowledge transfer, Technological distance, Technological diversity, Influencing factors