Diagnosis of Knowledge Transfer Between Rural Inhabitants and Urban Newcomers – The Example of The Polish Countryside

This study examines the state of knowledge and information transfer in ru-ral areas between incoming urban residents and permanent rural residents. The study (surveys and in-depth interviews) covered these two social groups in 18 villages across Poland. The study sought answers to the fol-lowing research questions: 1) What types of knowledge and information are transferred to rural areas by urban residents? 2) What are the main direc-tions of knowledge and information transfer? 3) What are the consequences of knowledge transfer? It appears that the flow of knowledge between the two groups studied is primarily informational, serving to meet the daily needs of residents; it occurs through occasional meetings, primarily in pub-lic places. The flow of knowledge and information has two-way nature; the interviews clearly show that rural residents are primarily a source of practi-cal information, while urban newcomers provide, in addition to infor-mation, advice and intangible knowledge.