Company Headquarters Research Articles

The Impact of Confucian Culture on Corporate Environmental Governance

Using A-share listed companies in Shanghai and Shenzhen from 2010 to 2019 and the density of Confucian temples and schools near sample company headquarters, this paper uses regression analysis to estimate the impact of Confucian culture on corporate environmental governance. Enterprise environmental capital investment as a percent of total assets is the dependent variable used as a proxy for environmental governance. The log of the number of the number of Confucian temples and Confucian academies within a 200-kilometer radius of the company's registered location plus one is the independent variable. This study finds that the environmental capital expenditures increase by 0.007% for every unit increase in the independent variable. Similar results are found when the radius is expanded to 300 kilometers. The greater the influence of Confucian culture is, the more inclined enterprises are to participate in corporate environmental governance. Additionally, environmental governance information disclosure can be a key influence path for this correlation. Further analysis finds that the relationship between Confucian culture and environmental governance is stronger with more experienced managers, a more developed institutional environment, and after 2015 following the People's Republic of China’s enactment of the Environmental Protection Law. This study expands the literature on the factors that influence Confucian culture on corporate environmental governance, enriches the empirical evidence of the influence of the informal system of corporate environmental governance on enterprise decision-making, and confirms the modern commercial value of Confucian culture.

The incorporation of organizational integrity culture in outsourced service provision

The research addresses the incorporation of a culture of integrity in outsourced service provision companies, with an emphasis on knowledge management and organizational learning. The study examines the challenges faced by these companies in disseminating a culture of integrity among their employees, who often operate far from the physical structures of the employers. The methodology adopted includes both qualitative and quantitative analysis, using questionnaires and data analysis to explore employees' perceptions of the culture of integrity. The Ethical Climate Index (ECI) is utilized to measure employees' attitudes and perceptions regarding ethical issues in the workplace, while theoretical models of knowledge management are applied to investigate the transfer and assimilation of the culture of integrity. The findings indicate that, although companies implement Integrity Programs, the effective incorporation of a culture of integrity faces obstacles such as physical distance from company headquarters and limited socialization among employees, which can weaken the incorporation of organizational values. The study concludes that continuous efforts and organizational commitment are crucial to overcoming these challenges and reinforcing the culture of integrity. Future research is suggested to investigate more effective engagement strategies across different sectors and organizational contexts.

Made or Invented in Hungary? – Upgrading Possibilities in Light of Global FDI Tendencies

This paper analyses industrial upgrading possibilities for the Hungarian economy in light of recent changes in global Foreign Direct Investment activities. The changing economic landscape provides a reason to investigate the impact of the recent developments in Hungary, a country with an open, dependent economy. The study investigates how the front-running sector, the manufacturing industry, performs during the current, turbulent times. Does it upgrade from the earlier assembly-focused positions in global value chains, or are there any signs of deterioration by backshoring certain activities to the headquarters of multinational companies? By using both primary and secondary research and conducting a regional comparison, the study finds that the Hungarian economy still shows the characteristics of a “factory economy”, but progress has been made towards the aspired “knowledge economy” status.

Environmental Racism in Nigeria’s Niger Delta: An Ethical Appraisal

Nigeria’s Niger Delta is plagued by serious environmental problems. These environmental problems include oil spillage, pollution, deforestation, biodiversity destruction, and so forth. Many of the environmental problems in the Niger Delta arise from the anthropogenic activities of multinational oil companies. While these environmental problems, which have caused widespread environmental degradation, are well discussed in light of environmental justice, the reality—that these problems are also precipitated by environmental racist attitudes and practices—is not receiving just attention. This article argues that the environmental problems in the Niger Delta should be seen from the perspective of environmental racism. Through critical hermeneutics and analytic methods, the article shows that what is taking place in the Niger Delta can be called environmental racism. The Niger Delta peoples and cultures have disproportionately suffered from the burden and effects of oil exploration and exploitation activities. Many practices taking place in the Niger Delta, such as gas flaring, use of obsolete oil equipment, and so forth, will not be tolerated in Western countries where the headquarters of multinational oil companies are located. The article finds that unacceptable levels of environmental racism are taking place in the Niger Delta. The article concludes that there is a need to promote environmental justice and mitigate the environmental problems in the Niger Delta.

Economic powers encompass the largest cultural buildings: market, culture and equality in Stockholm, Sweden (1918–2023)

PurposeThe aim of this research is to understand the relationship between cultural buildings, economic powers and social justice and equality in architecture and how this relationship has evolved over the last hundred years. This research seeks to identify architectural and urban elements that enhance social justice and equality to inform architectural and urban designs and public policies.Design/methodology/approachThe author explores the relationship between case studies of museums, cultural centers and libraries, and economic powers between 1920 and 2020 in Stockholm, Sweden. The author conducts a historical analysis and combines it with statistical and geographically referenced information in a Geographic Information System, archival data and in situ observations of selected buildings in the city. The author leverages the median income of household data from Statistics Sweden, with the geographical location of main public buildings and the headquarters of main companies operating in Sweden.FindingsThis analysis presents a gradual commercialization of cultural buildings in terms of location, inner layout and management, and the parallel filtering and transforming of the role of users. The author assesses how these cultural buildings gradually conformed to a system in the city and engaged with the market from a more local and national level to global networks. Findings show a cluster of large public buildings in the center of Stockholm, the largest global companies' headquarters and high-income median households. Results show that large shares of the low-income population now live far away from these buildings and the increasing commercialization of cultural space and inequalities.Originality/valueThis research provides a novel image of urban inequalities in Stockholm focusing on cultural buildings and their relationship with economic powers over the last hundred years. Cultural buildings could be a tool to support equality and stronger democracy beyond their primary use. Public cultural buildings offer a compromise between generating revenue for the private sector while catering to the needs and interests of large numbers of people. Therefore, policymakers should consider emphasizing the construction of more engaging public cultural buildings in more distributed locations.

Study on Customer Acceptance of a Corporate Carsharing Offer in the Context of Sustainable Mobility

Corporate carsharing represents a sustainable operational mobility solution for companies and administrations. Particularly in light of the increasing environmental burdens caused by traffic, a closer examination of corporate carsharing seems especially sensible. There is currently insufficient information regarding the acceptance of a corporate carsharing offering. Additionally, it is worth mentioning that the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) has mostly been studied using quantitative methods, which are only limitedly suitable for practical implementation of the results obtained (Williams, Rana & Dwivedi, 2015). For these reasons, the goal of this research is to investigate, using a qualitative content analysis according to Mayring (2015), how a corporate carsharing offering should be designed to achieve maximum acceptance from customers. For this purpose, six customers with company headquarters in Baden-Württemberg, who already use a corporate carsharing offering, were surveyed. The theoretical framework of this work is formed by the UTAUT. The results of this research show that performance expectancy, effort expectancy, facilitating conditions, perceived environmental friendliness, and cost-effectiveness are key constructs that are crucial for the acceptance of Deer GmbH's corporate carsharing offering. Moreover, perceived innovation capability, driving pleasure, and corporate culture were identified as new constructs that are critical for the success of the corporate carsharing business model.

Light at the End of the Tunnel: Mining Justice and Health

The mining industry provides valuable mined commodities and financial support for communities worldwide. Mining has become safer for workers. Significant injustices, however, are created by mining companies for workers, local communities and the environment. Mining workers are amongst the world’s most vulnerable because of the dangerous nature of their work, inherent health risks, and problematic, neo-colonial ways in which the industry is governed. Given the scope of these problems, solutions are often challenging, yet this article proposes various responses to global mining inequities. In this article, examples of safe and adequately compensated programs to improve workers’ rights, environmental impacts, and social conditions related to mining will be discussed. Here, solutions to some problems caused by mining are examined, with a focus on workers’ health and human rights through unions and cooperatives, targeted programs for improving mental well-being, the feminization of the mining workforce; the possibility of reducing demand for mining products through reuse and reducing consumption. Ameriolating mining governance is key, through enhanced implementation of human rights, safety, and labor standards, specifically applying the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) to mining issues; mining justice organizations play a vital role, particularly in accountability and publicity of mining issues. Canada is spotlighted here as it houses approximately 75% of mining company headquarters, primarily due to favorable tax and investment conditions and the concentration of skilled labor. Greater unionization and cooperativization of mining workers hold great promise for improving health and safety conditions of miners. Feminizing the mining workforce promises to improve both productivity and profits. While mental health is often ignored, Australia’s Mates in Mining program has improved mental well-being and reduced depression and suicide amongst mining workers. Expansion of such programs worldwide would positively impact workers, their families, and improve productivity. Moreover, third-party certification for mining workers’ rights, such as Fairmined, ought to be expanded while universal human rights declarations ought to be upheld. Social justice movements improve worker’s rights, environmental impact and social conditions related to mining. In this article, the importance of improving larger socioeconomic and political conditions in which mining workers operate are also examined, such as reducing demand for mined commodities and recycling more effectively. Improving Indigenous land-based rights is another crucial aspect of creating more just mining practices. Mining offers many workers, particularly those in Canada and other high-income nations, a decent income and benefits. Equivalent wages and benefits ought to be paid to all mining workers worldwide. “It is possible to move from tunnel vision-profit-oriented mining practices which damage workers, communities and environment, to light at the end of the tunnel-- healthy workers, communities and environment”.

건설업 안전관리자 인식도 조사를 통한 스마트안전기술 활성화 방안

To prevent accidents in the construction industry, the government is using smart safety technologies such as ICT and IoT to increase efficiency by digitization and automating existing safety management methods. However, at the present time, where quantitative effectiveness has not been shown, such as overlapping policies divided between the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Ministry of Employment and Labor, and the reduction of accident rates due to the introduction of smart safety technology, a revitalization plan is needed through a survey of awareness of smart safety technology. In order to derive measures to revitalize smart safety technology in the construction industry from the government, developer, and construction company perspectives, survey items were determined through visits and brief interview targeting smart safety experts, construction company headquarters, and field workers. The general survey items and smart safety technology introduction and application groups were classified into groups, and a population was selected targeting safety managers at construction sites across the country, and a survey was conducted using a self-administered survey method. Research results: First, as a result of the survey on awareness, introduction status, and effectiveness of smart safety technology, the effectiveness of smart safety technology introduction and application was found to be high. Second, “Construction machinery and equipment access warning system” was the highest among the smart safety technologies currently operating and scheduled to be introduced in the future by groups that are currently introducing and operating smart safety technologies. Third, in terms of excellence in smart safety technology, “Easy to monitor work situation” was the highest, and excellent results were also found in groups that have not currently introduced smart safety technology at construction sites but are planning to introduce it in the future. Fourth, in terms of lack of effectiveness and ways to improve the effectiveness of smart safety technology, “introduction of technology that does not suit the construction site situation” was analyzed the most highly, and the same result was analyzed for groups that are currently not introducing smart safety technology to construction sites but are planning to introduce it in the future. It has been done. As a way to address the problems of introducing and applying smart safety technology and to prevent disasters, the government provides active education and promotion, produces and distributes smart safety technology guidelines that can be applied to each construction type, and provides clear guidelines so that owners and constructors can clearly understand them.
 Specific settlement method for the use of smart safety technology, development of customized smart safety technology for practical introduction by type of work, preemptive and quick solution of after-sales service problems for developers, management of smart safety technology at the construction company headquarters level and clarification of work scope for each person in charge and labor cost support, continuous It was concluded that measures such as improving managers' awareness through education are necessary.

Human resource management, absorptive capacity and reverse knowledge transfer

PurposeThe objective of this study is to analyze the process of reverse knowledge transfer (RKT) occurring in multinational companies (MNCs), examining whether headquarters' absorptive capacity and the human resource management (HRM) practices developed by the parent unit influence success.Design/methodology/approachThe data were collected through a questionnaire completed by the human resource manager of multinational company (MNC) headquarters. The analysis has been carried out on a sample of 115 Spanish MNCs by using structural equation models (SEM).FindingsThe results indicate that a parent firm's absorptive capacity positively influences RKT and that, in turn, this absorptive capacity is greater if headquarters implement certain practices of employee staffing, training, participation and performance appraisal.Originality/valueThis study extends existing research on RKT by examining the absorptive capacity of headquarters. Its main contribution is to provide evidence that MNCs can improve their RKT through HRM practices developed by the parent unit. This is original because most studies on RKT focus on HRM practices used by subsidiaries.

The role of headquarters in managing coopetition within MNCs: a tale of two paradoxes

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to contribute to the discussion on how multinational company (MNC) headquarters (HQs) can manage the existing coopetition paradox to ensure innovation within the MNC. In contrast to the rather scarce previous research, the authors argue that HQ needs to solve the coopetition paradox under the sway of a parenting paradox. Hence, HQ faces a dual paradox.Design/methodology/approachDrawing on the literature on HQ’s role during MNCs’ innovation processes, this conceptual paper revisits the previously suggested HQ measures to enable coopetition among subsidiaries. By applying a sheer ignorance perspective, the authors contribute with a more nuanced understanding of the HQ’s role in innovation activities.FindingsThe article identifies four challenges as the HQ faces a parenting paradox that hinders its ability to solve the coopetition paradox: context specificity of subsidiaries’ innovation work, normative expectations of subsidiary managers, potential opportunistic behavior of HQ manager and HQ underestimation of needed resources. The article suggests that HQ needs to become more informed and preferably even embedded in the local innovation networks of its most important subsidiaries and that coopetition should not be managed solely on an HQ level.Originality/valueAdvocating a sheer ignorance perspective, the article pioneers in discussing the role that HQ plays in managing coopetition among subsidiaries in innovation activities.

The company premises as passport

In several academic disciplines that focus on (historical) building practice there is growing interest in building contractors and their employees. Their contribution and influence are increasingly the subject of research. After the Second World War the contractor’s field of work was defined by productivity, specialization and industrialization, which profoundly altered the professional character of this branch of industry. Social developments and the prevailing idea of an all-encompassing welfare state triggered top-down and bottom-up changes in this traditionally highly cyclical sector. This fostered diversity in the contracting world, yet those diverse profiles and identities often remain unrecognized today. This is compounded by the fact that, unlike architects for example, the source material left behind by contractors and their employees is usually less informative and often fragmented.
 This article seeks to demonstrate the potential of alternative source material by analysing company photos in order to better understand the profile and identity of two post-war Belgian contractors. During their existence, Van Coillie of Oostende (1919-1976) and Van Laere of Kruibeke (1938-1989) amassed extensive collections of photographs, which were recently made accessible by the Flanders Architecture Institute (VAi). The focus of this article is on a series of photos from the 1960s and ’70s depicting the headquarters of both companies. These company premises and buildings were the very heart of the businesses, which adopted a pragmatic or strategic design to reflect their profile and identity. The selected photos are compared with information gleaned from a series of in-depth interviews with ex-employees in order to place the companies in their particular historical context.
 The analysis is in two parts, the first of which focuses on the site, the company architecture and the implanting. This reveals information about the size and organization of the contractors, as well as about their company strategy and professional profile. For example, they used these elements to create a strong position in the building sector and in so doing cement their reputation. The second part analyses a few interiors of the 1961 Van Laere headquarters. A detailed visual examination reveals how these spaces reflected the internal organization and hierarchical structure and how Van Laere projected its company image both internally and externally. The pictures also chart the development of an organizational culture and a body of values and norms that in turn shaped the company identity. The company management, the internal organization and the social and local network in which the firms were embedded, consequently had a considerable effect on the position they occupied as individual players in building practice. The main finding from these two analyses is that these post-war construction players were highly diverse. A critical and biographical sketch in terms of activities, profile and identity is consequently a necessary starting point for a detailed analysis of their position and role within national and international post-war building practice. This article shows what a rich source photographic material can be in developing such a sketch.

THE LEVEL OF CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY IN LARGE ORGANIZATIONS IN RELATION TO: SECTOR, ACTIVITY, TYPE OF OWNERSHIP AND LEVEL OF BUSINESS

The role and importance of socially responsible business in the last few years has been recognized in various economic activities. In addition to its importance in various economic activities, corporate social responsibility plays an important role for sustainable development. The aim of the work is based on the examination of the achieved level of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in large organizations in R. Serbia in relation to in relation to the sector, economic activity, type of ownership, level of business on the market. The research was conducted in the period from 2019 to 2021 on the territory of the Republic of Serbia, in which 165 large organizations participated. Statistical techniques of the Mann Whitney non-parametric test were used in the paper using a statistical program (SPSS version 25.0). By reviewing the professional and scientific literature on corporate social responsibility, also through the analysis of the obtained results, the authors proved that the hypothesis was partially confirmed between the average dimensions of CSR and by sector, economic activity, type of ownership, level of business in the market. Statistically significant differences exist in the level of corporate social responsibility in organizations in Serbia in relation to economic activity, between company headquarters, between types of companies, while there are no statistically significant differences in the level of CSR in organizations in Serbia in relation to the sector, the level of business on the market.

INTERNATIONAL STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT (STUDY IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA)

International strategic management is a comprehensive and ongoing process of management planning aimed at developing and implementing strategies that enable businesses to compete effectively in an international environment. The process of developing an international strategy is of course often referred to as "strategic planning". Strategic planning is usually the responsibility of senior management at company headquarters and in the company's domestic and international operating branches. Most large companies also have population planners who provide technical assistance to top management in formulating strategy. For example, five Disney planners first collected the demographic and economic data policy makers needed, and then used that data to select France as the location for Euro Disney. International strategic management leads to the formulation of various international strategies. It is a comprehensive framework for achieving the company's fundamental goals. Conceptually, there are many similarities between developing strategic capabilities in one country and developing competitive strategies in many countries. According to Hill and Jones (2012), international strategic management is “the process of establishing, developing, and implementing corporate strategic actions aimed at gaining competitive advantage in global markets”. Method Descriptive qualitative method is a research method used to gain a deep understanding of phenomena through description, interpretation and analysis of qualitative data.

The contribution of Technical and Vocational Education and Training formal programmes to inclusive company growth and transformation: a case study of the automotive manufacturing sector in South Africa

ABSTRACT This article investigates the contribution of formal Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes to inclusive industrial growth and transformation in the automotive manufacturing sector. Drawing from the mixed method approach, it argues that skills play is an addition role, not central one in industrial growth and transformation. Industrial growth is driven by exposure to domestic and export markets, increase in clients, healthy relations in the workplace, and changes in technology and industrial policy. Similarly, industrial transformation is not driven by skills but rather by factors such as the clients’ product demands and specifications; the national industrial/sectoral policy; research and innovation expertise from company headquarters often outside South Africa; global market forces and price volatility; new regulations on emission(s) demanded by the government; and competition amongst components. It is through these factors that skills begin to play a role. There is a need to recognise industrial dynamics and factors that are critical in shaping the skills system if we are to understand the extent to which skills enhance growth and transformation. Moreover, the findings challenge the current formal TVET provision policy in South Africa which does not seem to recognise or incorporate other forms of provision in which skills can be acquired, i.e. informal on-the-job training, non-formal company-based training, in addition to formal institutional-based training.

Localizing corporate social responsibility in China: The role of geographic proximity to political and financial centers

Early studies on corporate social responsibility (CSR) in China focused on political factors, but recent research highlights the increasing role of markets and finance. This study aims to investigate whether politics remains the primary driver of CSR as the Chinese CSR market evolves. Specifically, it examines the influence of geographic proximity, particularly political and financial centers, on CSR performance in China. Analyzing political and financial attributes of various cities, the study identifies key drivers of CSR engagement. Using 24,399 annual observations of listed company headquarters' locations and distances from political and financial centers, the research reveals that the economy has replaced politics as the main driver of CSR in China. Firms closer to administrative and financial centers demonstrate stronger CSR performance. Additionally, the study emphasizes the significance of shared prosperity demonstration zones initiated by the Chinese government, which drive CSR activities. These findings highlight the impact of geographic location on CSR performance and the alignment between common prosperity and CSR in China. By contributing to literature on geographic location and CSR, this study provides insights into institutional factors influencing firms' CSR engagement.

The Impact of Work Culture and Work Environment on Employee Performance: A Study at PT Pelindo Daya Sejahtera


 
 
 
 
 
 This research aims to investigate the influence of workplace culture and environment on employee performance at PT Pelindo Daya Sejahtera. The study employed a random sampling technique, with a sample size of 72 respondents comprising management employees from the company's headquarters and the East Java region. Data analysis involved validity and reliability tests, classical assumption tests, multiple linear regression analysis, partial t-tests, and simultaneous F-tests. The research findings confirm the validity and reliability of the indicators used. The classical assumption tests revealed normal data distribution without symptoms of heteroscedasticity or multicollinearity. The results indicate that both workplace culture (X1) and environment (X2) significantly affect employee performance. Additionally, the simultaneous influence of workplace culture and environment on employee performance is evident. These findings contribute to the understanding of the importance of fostering a conducive culture and work environment to enhance employee performance. The implications of this research can guide organizations, particularly in the maritime industry, to create supportive work environments and cultivate positive cultural values to optimize employee performance.
 
 
 
 Highlight:
 
 The study examines the influence of work culture and work environment on employee performance in PT. Pelindo Daya Sejahtera.
 Both work culture (X1) and work environment (X2) significantly affect employee performance (Y) in PT. Pelindo Daya Sejahtera.
 The findings suggest that fostering a conducive work culture and environment can enhance employee performance in the company.
 
 Keyword:
 Work Culture, Work Environment, Employee Performance, PT Pelindo Daya Sejahtera, Management Employes
 
 

Digital transformation for the water industry: how a data-driven business intelligence platform can improve operations

Abstract The management of a water network is a complex and challenging job. Nowadays, thanks to the technology available, there is the opportunity to move to a data-driven decision process. To meet the increasingly stringent technical quality requirements from the Authority, water utilities need to increase the operational efficiency. The solution is to integrate and organize operational and business-related data into a common data lake and use these data as a source for a business analytics software able to assist and support daily operations and future investment programs. This paper describes the activities and results of a digitalization case study carried out in Italy where a leading water utility serving over 2 million residents implemented an integrated water management system to enhance the business performance by leveraging a data-driven approach. The project resulted in the establishment of an advanced control room at the company's headquarters, featuring real-time dashboards that are fully integrated with the utility's operational tools and software. The integrated system allows faster responses to operational needs and supports business decisions through streamlined access to relevant data.

The Role of Digitization in Promoting the Globalization of the Halal Industry "Halal Chain Platform as a Model"

The Arab Organization for Industrial Development and Mining affiliated to the League of Arab States launched the International Forum for Halal Accreditation Bodies, as an Arab innovative initiative in the Halal industry inspired by the UAE Halal initiative, which in turn leads international efforts towards the globalization of the Halal industry aimed at strengthening Dubai's position as the global capital of the Islamic economy.
 In line with the technological development and digital transformation that the world is witnessing today, and in line with the Emirati initiative to globalize the Halal industry, HLC Technologies has launched the HalalChain platform, which specializes in tracking the Halal industry, based on Blockchain technology, at the company's headquarters in Dubai. It is a smart, decentralized platform, based on "Blockchain" technology and "Internet of Things", to enable entities, institutions and companies to track all stages of food production, processing and distribution, and to track the production of pharmaceuticals and cosmetics across all elements of the supply chain, to ensure safety and compliance. All health standards and controls.
 The study aims to demonstrate the role of digitization in improving productivity and promoting economic growth, and its role in spreading the globalization of the Halal industry. The study also highlights the importance of the Halal Chain platform in facilitating the process of trade exchange and strengthening the role of the state in the field of industry and trade, The study concluded that the Halal Chain platform is not only a platform for tracking products, but rather a comprehensive Islamic system on the Block Chain.

Market of tissue engineering in Canada from 2011 to 2020.

Tissue engineering aims to produce tissue/organ substitutes to improve upon current treatment approaches, thus providing a permanent solution to damaged tissues/organs. This project aimed to perform a market analysis for understanding and promoting the development and commercialization of tissue engineering in Canada. We searched companies that were established between October 2011 and July 2020 via publicly available information and for these companies, we collected and analyzed the corporate level information, including revenues, and number of employees and founder information. The companies assessed were mainly searched from four different industry segments, i.e., bioprinting, biomaterials, cells and biomaterials, and stem-cells related industry. Our results have demonstrated that there are twenty-five tissue-engineering companies registered in Canada. These companies generated an estimated revenue of USD $67 million in the year 2020, most generated by the tissue engineering and stem-cells related industries. Our results also show that Ontario has the largest number of headquarters of tissue engineering companies among the provinces or territories of Canada. It is expected that the number of new products undergoing clinical trials is increased, based on our results of current clinical trials. Altogether, tissue engineering in Canada has shown a huge growth in the past decade and is forecasted to be an emerging industry in Canada for the years to come.

Manufacturing Relocation Ambiguity Model: A Prerequisite for Knowledge Management

AbstractKnowledge management and manufacturing relocation have been treated as independent spheres. However, for a relocation to be fruitful, knowledge management needs to be incorporated. The purpose of this research is to shed light on the lack of knowledge management in dynamic manufacturing relocation. In particular, the research focuses on the ability to change, adapt and revert manufacturing relocation decisions, that is, the dynamic nature (or use) of the concept. A Swedish company was used as a case study. Nine in‐depth interviews were conducted with key informants at the company's headquarters in Sweden and its factory in China to capture a dyadic perspective. The findings demonstrate that: (1) knowledge transfer is crucial to create/sustain competitive advantage in the offshoring and reshoring phase; (2) lack of knowledge transfer results in limited learning outcomes with operational and strategic consequences in the relocation; (3) resistance to knowledge transfer in the offshoring creates a knowledge gap that consequently leads to relocation ambiguity in the reshoring phase; and (4) companies need to develop knowledge management strategies to promote knowledge transfer and learn from their international relocation, to cope with relocation ambiguity. Our theoretical contribution introduces the knowledge ambiguity framework, which is a result of insufficient knowledge transfer in the dynamic manufacturing relocation. Even if an organization relocates efficiently, it can fail to take advantage of knowledge transfer and development as potential learning for the organization.