Network embeddedness and local firm's tacit knowledge acquisition in international strategic alliances

Abstract

This research proposes a theoretical model about how local firms' network embeddedness with international leading firms influences its tacit knowledge acquisition. Using data from 143 local firms in China, this research examines the association between network embeddedness and tacit knowledge acquisition. The results show that local firms' information embeddedness with international strategic partners can enhance their acquisition of explicit knowledge; local firms' work embeddedness with international strategic partners can enhance their tacit knowledge acquisition; local firms' explicit knowledge acquisition supports their understanding and acquisition of tacit knowledge; and explicit knowledge acquisition partially mediates the relationship between information embeddedness and tacit knowledge acquisition.