Who Works at the Interface in Knowledge Spillover Across Organizational Boundaries? (original) (raw)
Related papers
This paper is an extension of work originally presented in 2017 6th International Conference on Industrial Technology and Management (ICITM). This research focuses on the mobilization of human resources in the Asian electrical industry and analyzes the impact of engineers' international mobility on the innovation of enterprises in the host countries. I examine the characteristics of engineers who moved from Japan to China and South Korea to explore which types of engineers successful firms in China and South Korea select from rival companies in Japan. In addition, this study focuses on the role of the inventors' networks to investigate the significance of researcher mobility and knowledge spillover as mechanisms that facilitate the flow of tacit knowledge. This study reveals that during the process of innovation, informal networks play an important role in the mobility of engineers. The findings suggest that successful firms require people with analytical skills and problem-solving capacity, not " star inventors. "
Africa journal of management, 2018
In this paper, we build on the argument that knowledge transfer is a source for competitive advantage. We test the proposition whether knowledge transfer from knowledge-rich to knowledge-indigent environments leads to better performance. Empirically, we test the performance effects of the flow of knowledge carriers between European and African countries in an industry in which human capital is the main input. Using panel data, we find mixed support for our hypotheses. We find that performance increases with the proportion of members having experience in knowledge-rich environments. We also find evidence that with increasing quality of such experience, performance decreases. In the last sections of the paper, we discuss these results and their implications for theories of organizational learning and knowledge transfer in general as well as for management research and practice in the African context.
Journal of Business Economics and Management, 2012
In this paper, we investigate (i) the relationship between international spillovers and knowledge acquisition, and, (ii) intra-firm subsidiary-to-parent transfer of technology among Japanese firms in the United States. Using a survey of 185 firms, probit regressions reveal that R&D personnel and market power significantly influence the acquisition of knowledge associated with basic and applied science and product development. Tacit knowledge that resides in customers, and skilled personnel are effective sources for exploitation of international knowledge spillovers. Participation in seminars and conferences also enhances the acquisition of applied science. Firms that rely on codified sources are unlikely to acquire any knowledge. This research also confirms other authors’ findings that subsidiary autonomy facilitates knowledge acquisition. In addition, knowledge in product development is most likely to lead to vertical intra-firm transfers while applied scientific research only resu...
Knowledge transfer within the multinational firm: What drives the speed of transfer
This paper examines the process of knowledge transfer in an intra organizational context. We first hypothesize that internal transfers will occur faster than external imitation due to the conceptual view of the multinational corporation as a social community that specializes in the creation and transfer of knowledge. We then present an analysis of the determinants of the speed of intra firm knowledge transfer by using a dyadic level of analysis, involving sender and recipient subsidiaries, examining the effects of subsidiary technology specialization and dyad interaction and technological distance. We test our hypotheses using patent citation data in the semiconductor industry. Key Results The findings demonstrate that internal transfers occur faster than external imitation. The paper finds support for differential influences on the transfer process; for the recipient, specialization with technology is important. Interestingly, dyad interaction is not significant, but dyad technological distance is significant. Abbreviated Heading : Knowledge transfer within the multinational firm
Industrial and Corporate Change, 2009
An employer-employee panel is used to study whether the movement of workers across firms is a channel of unintended diffusion of R&D-generated knowledge. Somewhat surprisingly, hiring workers from others' R&D labs to one's own does not seem to be a significant spillover channel. Hiring workers previously in R&D to one's non-R&D activities, however, boosts both productivity and profitability. This is interpreted as evidence that these workers transmit knowledge that can be readily copied and implemented without much additional R&D effort. JEL CODES: D62, J24, J62, L25, O31.
Knowledge transfer performance of multinational companies
MIR: Management International …, 2003
Knowledge is ascribed a key role when explaining the existence and the growth of multinational companies (MNCs). The effective dissemination throughout the MNC organization of valuable knowledge acquired by its local affiliates is seen as an important source of competitive advantage. Knowledge differs in characteristics and so do the available transfer mechanism. As such, it is essential that the MNC employs the mechanism of transfer that suits the specific knowledge characteristics. The use of unsuitable transfer mechanisms may cause loss of knowledge in the process of transmission or may involve unnecessarily high communication costs -both with potentially negative effects on the performance of the MNC. Focusing on internationalization knowledge this large-scale empirical study explores the incidence and the performance implications of fit between knowledge characteristics and transfer mechanisms as used by Danish MNCs. It is found that a substantial proportion of the observed MNC knowledge transfer transactions may be classified as 'misfits' and to some extent do these 'misfits' result in impaired performance of the MNCs. (Knowledge Transfer, Knowledge Characteristics, Multinational Companies) __________________________________________________________________ 1 1977, p. 30).
International Journal of Human Resource Management, 2008
Drawing on previous work in the knowledge management literature, this article develops a conceptual framework to analyse the cause and effects of international assignments as a knowledge transfer mechanism. In examining the characteristics of knowledge transferred within multinational companies (MNCs) the use of international assignees is explained and justified. The article also identifies the factors influencing the success of international assignees as knowledge transferors. It is argued that, in addition to the specific characteristics of the knowledge involved, transfer success will be affected by three sets of human-related factors: abilities and motivation of international staff; abilities and motivation of local employees; and the relationship between local and international staff. The article concludes by discussing some management initiatives helping to trigger the human-related factors.
Knowledge Transfer within Multinational Corporations
Concepts, Methodologies, Tools and Applications (4 Volumes)
A growing interest in the various aspects of knowledge transfer within multinational corporations has been evidenced by a recent surge in empirical research. Despite the fact that the number of empirical studies investigating various aspects of knowledge transfer within multinational corporations has significantly increased, very few insights into the influence of culture on knowledge transfer, however, have come to light. In fact, the cultural aspects and the individuals involved in the transfer and communication of corporate knowledge within multinational corporations seemed to have been overlooked by researchers. This chapter attempts to fill this gap and investigates the impact culture has upon knowledge transfer processes within multinational corporations. It presents a comprehensive intercultural knowledge transfer model and identifies which aspects of national culture hinder and which aspects foster an effective transfer of knowledge.