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This study aims to examine the influence of absorptive capacity and learning motivation in the process of knowledge acquisition in students of higher education institutions and subsequently evaluate its effect on the transfer of knowledge in the companies where students work, and the possible moderating effect of students’ social skills and the level of work autonomy.

The research design is non-experimental, cross-sectional correlational-causal, with a quantitative approach and the data collected are from primary sources. The variables autonomy and social skills are used on the perceptions of students in continuing education in programs related to third- or fourth-level business and administration careers in universities in Ecuador.

With the results obtained, it can be concluded that knowledge absorption capacity and learning motivation, as reflective constructs, have a significant effect on knowledge acquisition, and knowledge acquisition has a significant effect on transfer of knowledge, in part-time students, of the administrative area, studying in higher education institutions in Ecuador and working full time.

This study identifies the significant relationship between the variables of job autonomy and social skills and between the acquisition and transfer of knowledge. In addition, it is evident that the variables of job autonomy and social skills are significantly related.

This study aims to explore the mediating role of the motivation for learning in knowledge acquisition and knowledge transfer in students of higher education programs in business and management.

Quantitative correlational design. Data was collected from a sample of 366 students studying and working in the business and entrepreneurial sector in Ecuador. The instrument used was a Likert scale questionnaire. Correlation analyses were used to specify the relationships between variables. Multiple regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses.

The results evidenced the mediating effect of the motivation for learning on the relationship between knowledge acquisition and knowledge transfer of undergraduate and graduate students in higher education programs in the area of business and entrepreneurship.

The model investigated is a contribution to the literature since the variables have been little studied by the students as transfer channels, and there is a need to explore these relationships between variables in other productive sectors.

Organizations will be able to identify relevant factors in knowledge transfer, the motivation for learning for the context of working, create ideal conditions for knowledge flow and maintain a commitment to take advantage of this cooperation.

The results contribute to the three agents involved in knowledge transfer: students, educational institutions and organizations. Students can have a greater understanding of the skills they need to improve their learning and application of knowledge. Educational institutions will have a better understanding of and approach to developing competencies in their students.

This simple regression model enriches the current literature on the mediating effect of the motivation for learning on the relationship between knowledge acquisition and knowledge transfer in higher education institutions in Latin American countries.