Knowledge transfer roles of subsidiaries in MNCs’ networks

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 329-346 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cigdem Baskici
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Transfer ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Hierarchical Structures ◽  
Knowledge Flows ◽  
Consumer Electronics ◽  
Knowledge Network ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Knowledge Based

Purpose Although there have been a considerable number of studies regarding subsidiary role typology in multinationals’ management literature, there appear to be few studies that consider knowledge-based role typology from the network-based perspective. The purpose of this study is to fill this gap and extend the study of Gupta and Govindarajan (1991). Thus, the study focuses on answering the following research question: Do subsidiaries have different roles in terms of knowledge flows within a multinational company (MNC)? Design/methodology/approach This empirical study has been carried out as an explorative single case study. An MNC with 15 foreign subsidiaries headquartered in Turkey, which operated in the manufacturing of household appliances and consumer electronics, has been selected as the case. Knowledge transfer is analyzed in this MNC from the network perspective. Findings Four role typologies are detected for subsidiaries of the MNC: collector transmitter, collector diffuser, converter transmitter and converter diffuser. Research limitations/implications Findings of this study are specific to this case. Testing the findings in a sample consisting of subsidiaries of MNCs producing transnational products may contribute to the generalizability of these roles. Practical implications This study offers potentially important findings for MNC managers to use. First, in this study, knowledge flows' route could be defined within MNCs’ dual network. Second, role typologies could inform MNC managers to design their MNCs’ knowledge network. Originality/value The suggested typologies are expected to more accurately define the roles of subsidiaries within contemporary MNCs which are accepted to be transformed from hierarchical structures to network-based organizations.

Knowledge transfer in a start-up craft brewery

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 219-243 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Cardoni ◽  
John Dumay ◽  
Matteo Palmaccio ◽  
Domenico Celenza
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Transfer ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Development Phase ◽  
General Description ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Award Winning ◽  
Start Up ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of the entrepreneur in the knowledge transfer (KT) process of a start-up enterprise and the ways that role should change during the development phase to ensure mid-term business survival and growth. Design/methodology/approach An in-depth, qualitative case study of Birra Flea, an Italian Craft Brewery, is presented and analysed using Liyanage et al.’s (2009) framework to identify the key components of the KT process, including relevant knowledge, key actors, transfer steps and the criteria for assessing its effectiveness and success. Findings The entrepreneur played a fundamental and crucial role in the start-up process, acting as a selective and passionate broker for the KT process. As Birra Flea matures and moves into the development phase, the role of the entrepreneur as KT’s champion needs to be integrated and distributed throughout the organisation, with the entrepreneur serving as a performance controller. Research limitations/implications This study enriches the knowledge management literature by applying a framework designed to provide a general description of KT, with some modifications, to a single case study to demonstrate its effectiveness in differentiating types of knowledge and outlining how KT can be configured to support essential business functions in an SME. Practical implications The analysis systematises the KT mechanisms that govern the start-up phase of an award-winning SME, with suggestions for how to manage KT during the development phase. Seldom are practitioners given insight into the mechanics of a successful SME start-up; this analysis serves as a practical guide for those wishing to implement effective KT strategies to emulate Birra Flea’s success. Originality/value The world’s economy thrives on SMEs, yet many fail as start-ups before they even have a chance to reach the development phase, presenting a motivation to study the early stages of SMEs. This study addresses that gap with an in-depth theoretical analysis of successful, effective KT processes in an SME, along with practical implications to enhance the knowledge, experience and skills of the actors that sustain these vital economic enterprises.

Solicitation of experts in an undetermined environment: the case of a polar exploration

2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (5) ◽  
pp. 900-911 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-Philippe Bootz ◽  
Pascal Lievre ◽  
Eric Schenk
Keyword(s):  
Expert Knowledge ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Knowledge Flows ◽  
Social Dimension ◽  
Project Leader ◽  
Weak Signals ◽  
Social Construct ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Innovation Projects

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to understand the solicitation of outside experts in the upstream phase of innovation projects, which fall within the scope of the exploration and which take place within a context of radical uncertainty: how are these experts identified, selected and mobilised? While companies are compelled to manage exploration projects, the processes underlying the expansion of knowledge in these projects are not well known. Design/methodology/approach – Based on the literature, this paper first presents a conceptual view of the notion of expert. Then, the research question is analyzed by means of a case study of a polar expedition. The project leader seeks a knowledgeable person who has never been identified as an expert, but whose knowledge is essential. Findings – The expert appears both in his cognitive and social dimensions. Moreover, he emerges out of the situation, on the basis of neither strong nor weak signals. The rationality of expert solicitation falls within a pragmatic logic where the acquired knowledge must reduce the uncertainty so that the project can progress. The learning process enables to increase gradually the knowledge of the actor but also to build the legitimacy required in order to have access to the expert. Practical implications – Findings can be translated in more general situations. Indeed, polar expeditions projects and exploratory innovation projects (Garel and Lièvre, 2010) possess some common characteristics: lack of knowledge concerning, timing issues, need to implement a pragmatic, enquiry-based learning. These projects strongly rely on external expert knowledge. This case study suggests that, while it may be useful, planning should not strictly define the course of action. A central competence of the project leader is to manage the duality between planning and adaptation. This implies the ability to adapt, to detect and to assess human resources and knowledge flows rapidly, as well as to weave social links inside and outside the organisation. Originality/value – The existing literature offers a comprehensive view of experts in an organisation. However, the questions of expert selection and identification remain open. This paper fills a gap in the literature concerning the way experts are identified and selected. The case study shows that identifying experts does not solely depend on weak signals (reputation) or on strong signals (the expert’s social status). Rather, the expert emerges in the situation, in an unexpected way. The expert’s social dimension is not sufficient and one must look to the cognitive roots of the expertise. On the other hand, the fact is emphasised that the expert is a social construct which emerges from the solicitation process.

scholarly journals Intra-network knowledge roles and division performance in multi-business firms

2014 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 1165-1183 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuel Villasalero
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Transfer ◽  
Performance Outcomes ◽  
Knowledge Flows ◽  
Analysis Of Covariance ◽  
Knowledge Network ◽  
Business Network ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Business Units ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Internal Knowledge

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to deal with the performance consequences of business units that adopt varying knowledge roles within the internal multi-business network. Multi-business firms are distributed knowledge systems in which business units are extensively involved in internal knowledge transfer processes. Business units play different roles within their respective corporate knowledge networks as knowledge providers, knowledge receivers, both or neither. Design/methodology/approach – Survey data from a sample of 225 business divisions were analyzed using a multivariate analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Findings – Results indicate that divisions which occupy knowledge roles that reveal the possession of unique knowledge (knowledge signaling) or guarantee the accumulation of new knowledge (knowledge learning) outperform those divisions that have access to spilled knowledge (knowledge depreciation) or have no access to any kind of knowledge (knowledge insulation). Practical implications – Four knowledge roles are distinguished according to the extent to which a business division provides the rest of the corporation with knowledge or receives knowledge from the rest of the corporation, thus exploring the issue of internal knowledge transfer from an integrated perspective that takes the directionality of knowledge flows and the position within the knowledge network into account. Originality/value – This study contributes to existent research on knowledge transfer and performance outcomes by demonstrating the usefulness of the knowledge role as an integrating concept within this literature. It also extends the four-role framework to the prescriptive domain and tests its normative implications in an intensive internal knowledge transfer setting which has to date gone relatively unnoticed, as is that of multi-business firms.

Supply chain vulnerability: contributions from an edifying case study

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 214-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
Salomée Ruel ◽  
Sabry Shaaban ◽  
Margaux Ducros
Keyword(s):  
Data Privacy ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Global Scale ◽  
Resource Based View ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
Research Gap ◽  
A Company ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeCompanies today observe an increase in the complexity and vulnerability of their supply chains (SCs) as a result of global scale networks and a turbulent environment. The purpose of this paper is to explore knowledge management (KM) as a potential way of reducing SC vulnerability and answer the following question: how does inter-organisational KM influence efforts to reduce SC vulnerability?Design/methodology/approachDrawing on the resource-based view and the knowledge-based view (KBV), a single case study in the energy industry is conducted by collecting various data through interviews, observations and internal documents.FindingsThis edifying case study indicates that a lack of KM hinders any attempt to mitigate SC vulnerability.Research limitations/implicationsThis research shows several limitations such as data privacy, generalisation and the decision to study an atypical SC.Practical implicationsThe paper points out in a dedicated section the key actions a company should take in order to develop the required characteristics of knowledge expressed in the KBV.Originality/valueThis is the first qualitative research that investigates the relationships between SC vulnerability and KM, and more particularly in a recycling context where a strong research gap exists.

Prerequisite for lateral knowledge flow in manufacturing networks

2017 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 394-419 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maike Scherrer ◽  
Patricia Deflorin
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Transfer ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Coordination Mechanism ◽  
Product Portfolio ◽  
Single Case Study ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Manufacturing Plants ◽  
Management Level ◽  
Manufacturing Networks

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyse the prerequisites for lateral knowledge transfer in manufacturing networks. Design/methodology/approach Data stem from a single case study involving 26 interviews at the management level of a manufacturing network and a survey of 17 manufacturing plants in the network. Findings The requirements for lateral knowledge transfer between knowledge-sending and knowledge-receiving plants are similar strategic orientation, product portfolio similarity and process similarity. If the knowledge-sending and knowledge-receiving plants meet at least one of these requirements, then knowledge transfer is facilitated. Plant age, functional ties and geographical proximity do not seem to be important in lateral knowledge transfer. Research limitations/implications The results come from a single case study, limiting their generalisability. Further research should consider the influence of the network’s coordination mechanism on lateral knowledge transfer. Originality/value The paper investigates prerequisites for lateral knowledge transfer in manufacturing networks, shedding light on the fundamental factors that must be in place at the knowledge-sending and knowledge-receiving plants.

Informal industry–university partnership in gaming education and research: a case study in Macao

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Siu Lam
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Transfer ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Formal Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
University Partnership ◽  
The Government ◽  
University Industry ◽  
Original Approach

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to present a model of a university–industry partnership in gaming education and research. It analyzes the interactions and knowledge transfer between the two parties in Macao.Design/methodology/approachThis paper adopts a qualitative case study approach to share experiences of a university based in Macao as a single case to present its informal partnership with the industry in the area of gaming education and research.FindingsThis paper has shown that the partnership has provided clear benefits to both parties and the government is an influential power that can enhance collaboration. Although the informal partnership involves considerable time and efforts, it is flexible in comparison to the formal approach. Despite this, the knowledge transfer tends to focus on general issues to avoid being appropriated by competitors.Research limitations/implicationsThis demonstrates how a public university in Macao has achieved an informal industry–university partnership, which requires the commitment and understanding of both parties for the bi-directional exchange of knowledge. Such knowledge needs to be value-enhancing for the industry to keep the partnership grow and prosper.Originality/valueThis study puts forward an original approach to an informal industry–university partnership in the area of gaming education and research.

Understanding knowledge flows within a tourism destination network

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (5) ◽  
pp. 549-566 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle McLeod
Keyword(s):  
Research Question ◽  
Knowledge Flows ◽  
Knowledge Network ◽  
Information Flows ◽  
Tourism Destination ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Position Type ◽  
Tourism And Hospitality ◽  
Flow Of Information ◽  
Job Position

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to reveal those attributes of owners and managers that influence knowledge flows between owners and managers in a tourism destination network. The research question relates to whether homogeneity and/or heterogeneity attributes of the owners and managers are associated with the flow of information within a knowledge network.Design/methodology/approachOwners and managers of tourism and hospitality businesses in the Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch conurbation were surveyed regarding their receipt of information from each other. Social network analysis (SNA) was applied to understand how job position, type of business, gender and education attributes influence the information flows within a knowledge network.FindingsIt was revealed that the ties or flows of information were influenced through the heterogeneity of the type of education attribute of a business owner or manager. Other attributes such as type of business, job position or gender were not associated with the receipt of information.Research limitations/implicationsThe contribution of the paper relates to increasing the understanding of an underlying attribute that influences information flows between owners and managers of tourism and hospitality businesses within a tourism destination.Originality/valueThe paper contributes to the understanding of a heterogeneous attribute that influences the flow of information within a tourism destination network.

scholarly journals Accounting in and for hybrids. Observations of the power of disentanglements

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gustaf Kastberg Weichselberger ◽  
Cristian Lagström
Keyword(s):  
Practical Implication ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Actor Network Theory ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Managerial Practices ◽  
Specific Hybridization ◽  
Productive Role

PurposeThe authors argue that the mainstream scholarly discourse on hybridity and accounting is thus far primarily interested in the use and effects of accounting “in” hybrid organizations. Consequently, the literature has to a lesser extent explored how accounting mediates hybrid settings (while also being mediated), and the role of disentanglements in such processes. In hybrid settings, objects are difficult to define, and measures and tools difficult to agree upon. However, the literature on hybrid accounting is inconclusive and indicates that accounting can potentially both stabilize and de-stabilize relations in a hybrid setting. The authors address the research question of how accounting emerges and manifests itself in a process of entangling and disentangling in a heterogeneous emerging hybrid setting.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is based on a longitudinal qualitative case study of the implementation of social investments, a public sector calculative framework based on the logic of measuring long term and social and economic impact of prevention. Methodologically, the study was guided by actor-network theory. In total, 18 observations and 48 interviews were conducted.FindingsThe observation the authors make in their case study is that much effort was spent on both keeping things apart and tying elements together. What the authors add to the literature is an illumination of how the interplay between entanglements and disentanglements facilitated the design idea of social investments to be enacted as multiple semi-integrated and purified hybridizations. The authors describe different translation points, each representing a specific hybridization where elements were added, recombined and disentangled. Still, the translation points were not completely compartmentalized, but rather semi-integrated where associations were facilitated through active mediation, likeness and productiveness for each other.Research limitations/implicationsOne limitation is the single case approach. A second limitation arises from the ANT approach to hybridity.Practical implicationsA practical implication of this paper is that in hybrid settings, the semi-integrated character may be interpreted as a strength because it allows the mobilization of heterogenous actors. However, this may also come at the cost of governability and raises further questions of managerial practices in hybrid settings.Social implicationsThe paper suggests the potentially productive role of disentanglements in allowing multiple hybridizations to evolve in hybrid accounting settings.Originality/valueThe paper suggests the potentially productive role of disentanglements in allowing multiple stabilized hybridizations to evolve in hybrid accounting settings.

Embracing entrepreneurial action through effectuation in social enterprise

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 195-214
Author(s):  
Chamindika Weerakoon ◽  
Byron Gales ◽  
Adela J. McMurray
Keyword(s):  
Social Enterprise ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Good Faith ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Single Case Study ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Social ◽  
Entrepreneurial Action

Purpose Mainstream entrepreneurship research tends to adopt either the causation or effectuation perspective in their studies. Yet, the social enterprise literature has largely focussed on the bricolage perspective to explain social entrepreneurial action. The authors argue that when investigating legitimacy driven opportunity pursuit of an enterprise’s pre-emergence stage, all three perspectives of causation, effectuation and bricolage are required. The purpose of this paper was to address the research question how does effectuation determine entrepreneurial action in the pre-emergence of a social enterprise? Design/methodology/approach An in-depth single case study approach was used based on the data provided by the founding entrepreneur of Good-Faith Learning social enterprise in Australia. Findings The results demonstrated the complementary evolution of the three perspectives. In the following sequence, the effectuation, causation and bricolage actions were identified during the pre-emergence stage of the Good-Faith Learning social enterprise. Specifically, the input–process–output perspective of the study confirmed that the initial stage reflects on the effectual means linked to the causation-based strong articulation of the social vision and mission. The process stage dominates the bricolage approach to resourcing leading to effectual outcomes subsequently. Further, the specific actions of the pre-emergence stage are comprised legitimacy driven symbolic management approaches conveying the entrepreneur’s credibility and commitment, professional organising through website, gut-instinct based team selection, and organisational achievement. Research limitations/implications The future research may conduct multiple case study analysis with multiple respondents to observe the consistency or deviations of the patterns identified in this study. Originality/value This single case study demonstrates the complementary existence of causation, effectuation and bricolage elements in entrepreneurial actions in a single social enterprise context and advances the social entrepreneurship literature.

Towards a taxonomy of intergenerational knowledge transfer practices

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 81-91
Author(s):  
Kerstin Kuyken ◽  
Mehran Ebrahimi ◽  
Anne-Laure Saives
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Transfer ◽  
Comparative Study ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Qualitative Case Study ◽  
High Tech ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Case Study Design ◽  
Younger Workers ◽  
Intergenerational Knowledge

Purpose This paper aims to develop a better understanding of intergenerational knowledge transfer (IKT) practices by adopting a context-related and comparative perspective. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative case study design involving 83 interviews and non-participative observation in German and Quebec organizations has been chosen. Findings Two distinctive archetypes of IKT emerge from both national contexts: “we-individualizing” (Germany) and “I-connecting” (Quebec), leading to an eightfold taxonomy of IKT practices. Research limitations/implications This research is limited to young and senior workers and to high-tech sectors. Originality/value Comparative and inductive study of IKT, adaptation of IKT practices to national contexts, retaining younger workers. This inductive and comparative study allows a better adaptation of IKT practices to national contexts and therefore a better retention of younger workers.

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