Bridging Generations: Key Determinants of Intergenerational Knowledge Transfer from Older to Younger Employees in Green Building Projects

Despite the growing importance of green building projects, limited research has explored the factors influencing intergenerational knowledge transfer (IGKT) in this context. As green building projects are increasingly characterized by high environmental standards, technological complexity, and interdisciplinary collaboration, effective knowledge transfer from older to younger employees becomes crucial for ensuring the success and sustainability of these projects. This study addresses this gap by systematically examining the key factors influencing IGKT in green building projects, applying an integrated Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) and Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) methodology. Firstly, twelve factors were identified across five dimensions: transfer subjects, inter-subject relationships, transfer objects, transfer channels, and transfer context. Based on expert input, a direct influence matrix was constructed, and centrality and cause degrees were calculated to distinguish causal and result factors. Subsequently, the ISM method was employed to classify the key factors hierarchically and develop a multi-level structural model of their interaction paths. Results show that organizational support climate ranked highest in both centrality and influence, while digital transformation capacity emerged as a key driver in green project environments. Surface-level factors (e.g., knowledge absorption and transmission capability) were highly susceptible; intermediate factors (e.g., motivation, knowledge distance) acted as bridges; and deep-level factors (e.g., knowledge complexity and embeddedness), though lower in centrality, posed long-term structural constraints. This study provides valuable insights for enhancing IGKT and fostering effective cross-generational collaboration, which is essential for advancing sustainable practices in the green building sector.