1  © Emerald Group Publishing    Knowledge management in successful technology transfer (Case study: Iranian aerospace industries and knowledge-based centers) Abbass Rafiei Department of Industrial Engineering, Malek Ashtar University of Technology, Isfahan, Iran Peyman Akhavan * Department of Management, Malek Ashtar University of Technology, Tehran, Iran Saeed Hayati Department of Statistics, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran This article is (c) Emerald Group Publishing and permission has been granted for this version to appear here (http://www.emeraldinsight.com/doi/pdfplus/10.1108/AEAT-11-2013-0220). Emerald does not grant permission for this article to be further copied/distributed or hosted elsewhere without the express permission from Emerald Group Publishing Limited. Citation: Rafiei, Abbas, Akhavan, Peyman and Saeed Hayati , (2016) "Knowledge management in successful technology transfer (Case study: Iranian aerospace industries and knowledge-based centers)", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology: An International Journal, Vol. 88, No: 1, pp.178 - 188 Abstract Purpose The present paper attempts to identify factors and variables affecting designing and assimilating technology in knowledge- based centers and aerospace industries, to study their relations and; ultimately, to provide a model based on research data. Methodology Structural equation modeling (SEM) using AMOS software was employed to study the relations among latent variables. Initially, we assure the right structure of devised measure and, then, by introducing a concept called “invariance”, we show that the devised measure structure in both aerospace industries and knowledge-based centers measures the same traits. Finally, the relations among latent variables in both knowledge-based centers and aerospace industries are studied and compared through SEM. Findings Findings indicate that there is a significant and positive relationship between knowledge management and successful  technology transfer effectiveness. Further relational and organizational capabilities as a key factor and facilitator plays a  mediating role between knowledge management and technology transfer effectiveness.    Practical implications According to direct impact of knowledge management on successful technology transfer, it is appropriate that domestic managers in research centers and aerospace industries pay more attention to technology transfer and pave the ground for executing its processes and mechanisms. Originality/value In the model provided in the theoretical literature, the sequence of technology transfer is more addressed while the capabilities of technology sender (university), technology receptor (industry), knowledge management, and its influence role in technology transfer from university to industry are not considered. Keywords knowledge management, technology, effectiveness, organizational capability, relational capability, implicit knowledge, explicit knowledge, technology transfer