Factors influencing knowledge acquisition and transfer by university students to organizations in Ecuador

Purpose This study examines the individual and organizational factors that affect the acquisition and subsequent transfer of knowledge by actively employed Ecuadorian university students. Design/methodology/approach Using a cross-sectional quantitative approach, a sample of 656 participants was analyzed through Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Findings The results show that intrinsic motivation, learning motivation, functional value and absorptive capacity are determinants of the acquisition of knowledge, while the latter, together with social skills, facilitates its transfer to the work environment. Originality/value This study identifies intrinsic motivation as the most influential factor in knowledge acquisition, while functional value and social skills also show significant effects. It highlights the role of knowledge-oriented leadership as a key moderator in the relationship between knowledge acquisition and transfer, providing an original contribution to the analysis of how knowledge is mobilized in the university-industry context.