The issue of knowledge translation to achieve innovation is more and more discussed in recent year (Liyanage et a., 2009). Knowledge needs to be translated to make it mutually understandable and relevant (Simeone et al., 2018). Knowledge translation is required to contextualise the transfer from the source of knowledge to the recipient and interpret the knowledge to be exchanged in a way that is meaningful for the recipient (Axelson and Richtner, 2017; Bogers and Horst 2013). This understanding is an important addendum to the literature on knowledge transfer because it makes it possible to provide more thorough accounts on how to transfer knowledge in complex environments. While knowledge transfer for innovation represents a traditional issue in the knowledge management field (Carlile and Rebentisch, 2003), the concept of knowledge translation in management studies is relatively recent. Some authors (Simeone et al. 2017) have focussed their attention on the role of design as a way to facilitate knowledge translation, while others referred to the use of arts in management (Secundo et al., 2019; Simeone et al., 2018). More traditional managerial instruments and tools deserve scholars’ attention and should be investigated in order to understand their role in knowledge translation processes. In many cases a common point of reference for the participants to interact across knowledge domains it is needed to envision a possible division of labour and negotiate on compromises. A variety of organizational mechanisms may be identified as being the drivers to the delivery of joint outcomes involving interdisciplinary collaboration, and may have profound repercussions on the knowledge-translation outcomes. This track may therefore be located within emergent knowledge translation debate in innovation studies, in the effort to add to the understanding of the mechanisms able to foster knowledge translation for innovation.

Paolo Canonico, University of Napoli Federico II, Italy
Ernesto De Nito, University of Salerno, Italy
Antonio Bassi, Scuola Universitaria Professionale della Svizzera Italiana, Switzerland
Alessia Berni, University of Napoli Parthenope, Italy
María D. De-Juan-Vigaray, University of Alicante, Spain