Coordination of technological knowledge flows in firms

Abstract

One of the major challenges inside firms is how to effectively manage their knowledge assets in the context of managing the transfer of technological knowledge across the firm’s organizational boundaries. This paper explores technological knowledge flows and the coordination of knowledge activity through use of geographically dispersed cross‐functional teams, as a way of integrating diverse knowledge via technology transfer projects. As multinational companies (MNCs) have increased the volume of technological knowledge that flows between their corporate headquarters and subsidiary operations, with rapid speed in many cases, many large firms are having to face increasing challenges of now transferring more ‘softer’ forms of technological knowledge, since this is recognized as an enabler of competitive advantage for firms. Developing this theme, the paper provides a theoretical review of some helpful contributions in this area and provides some empirical research knowledge management insights, gained from conducting research interviews with different functional managers from four UK‐based multinational firms.