Cross-border Knowledge Transfer Research Articles

Managing cross-border knowledge transfer for innovation: An introduction to the special issue

This introduction to the special issue maps the extant research on managing crossborder knowledge for innovation and classifies it into four clusters: knowledge spillovers and location, international alliances and R&D networks, knowledge transfer and absorptive capacity, and learning organization and capabilities. The eleven articles that compose the special issue are introduced, and a future agenda for international business research is proposed.

Amigo – A win-win for climate & health

Abstract Background Overburdened roads and traffic jams are daily routine in the cities of the Alpine Rhine Valley. At the same time, active travel is increasingly recognised as an important source of promoting physical health. Therefore, the interdisciplinary and cross-border project AMIGO aims to promote active commuting at the workplace. Approach: The goal of AMIGO is to integrate active commuter mobility into health programmes of organisations. Pilot companies across the entire region implement programmes to animate commuters to switch to active mobility modes, improve their own health and maintain sustainable behaviour. Together with an advisory board of psychologists, health experts and mobility experts the project establishes solutions to connect people's individual commuter choice with the mobility and health management of companies. A cross-border approach has been applied as commuters also significantly cause congestions across the border. Hence, the project team consists of organisations based in Austria, Liechtenstein, Switzerland and Germany, which covers the entire Lake Constance area. This enables cross-border knowledge transfer and joint action to achieve political awareness. Methods AMIGO uses qualitative and quantitative research methods. An employee survey as well as mobility analyses were used for needs assessment to identify employers who may be susceptible to changing their long-term travel patterns. In addition, focus groups provided detailed insights into the needs and obstacles of the employees. Techniques of behavioural science are applied for designing the interventions. Results A bundle of measures is required to create an enabling environment for sustainable and active commuting. Companies investing in active mobility make an impact for public health and environmental health. Key messages Companies investing in active mobility make an impact for public health and environmental health. Active commuter mobility should be integrated into health programmes of organisations.

The influence of empowering leadership on repatriate knowledge transfer: understanding mechanisms and boundary conditions

Repatriate knowledge represents a valuable organizational resource, but its transfer upon return to the domestic work unit is a difficult process that often fails. To date, the leaders’ role in repatriate knowledge transfer (RKT) has not been studied empirically. This study employs the social information processing theory to understand the effect of empowering leadership on RKT. Based on multi-source data from 101 repatriate and domestic coworker dyads, we found that empowering leadership facilitated RKT via the perceived trustworthiness of domestic coworkers. Furthermore, the positive influence of empowering leaders on RKT was stronger when repatriate agreeableness was high. With our findings, we advance research on the role of leaders in cross-border knowledge transfer processes via repatriates in multinational companies.

Knowledge Management System as a Business Process Outsourcing Approach

Information Systems outsourcing or subcontracting is a choice inspired by an organization to employ if not most, all of its Information Systems functions and procedures to a particular, or multiple external Information Systems businesspeople, who in return perform and manage the responsibilities for a price agreed by both over a specific time. In the world of literacy, many ways define the knowledge explicitly. In this new knowledge-based community, knowledge has been more recognized as the most significant source in an organization. With the help of tacit and implicit knowledge, the explanation of the value of knowledge transfer over inter-organizational relations or people within deemed to be precise. A firm in Indonesia has suffered from a dilemma concerning the transfer of knowledge. People savour externally provided knowledge or expertise and endeavour to study it for business success. This research supports the importance of holding an organizational community that nurtures innovation, education, and cross-border knowledge transfer. Furthermore, it is recommended that studies following this should review the safety and security of knowledge transfer and applications used for delivery.

Training development in the ORAMMA (Operational Refugee and Migrant Maternal Approach) project

Abstract Background ORAMMA is a European capacity-building project (GR, NL, UK) for pregnant migrant, asylum-seeking and refugee (MAR) women to improve maternal and newborn outcomes. ORAMMA is an operational and strategic approach for mother-centred, community-oriented, gender-sensitive, interdisciplinary and compassionate care, to meet the needs of MAR women in Europe. Objectives ORAMMA developed training for midwives and other primary health and social care (PC) professionals to meet the needs of MAR women. Methodology comprised three phases: evidence synthesis and needs assessment, training material development, and community enablement through locally recruited women in the innovative role of Maternal Peer Supporters (MPSs). Results Needs assessment highlighted the need to train ORAMMA’s teams of midwives and other PC professionals to care for women who suffered undue hardship, oftentimes leading to PTSD, i.e., victims of trafficking, rape, underage women, sufferers of acute or chronic conditions, and sole family carers. The experiences encountered informed curriculum development for midwives and other PC professionals. Interprofessional training for integrated perinatal care delivery was developed for and delivered in three phases, i.e., detection of pregnancy (GP coordination), care during pregnancy (midwive coordination), and support after birth (social worker coordination), with special modules developed in a participatory manner on: migration status and policies, maternity care for MAR women, and communication and culturally sensitive practices. Conclusions Training midwives and other PC professionals along with members of MAR communities in the MPS role was identified to be a key element to efficiently support women and their families, to propagate key perinatal and public health messages, and to advocate for the rights of MAR women to ensure access equity to quality care in a highly responsive manner. ORAMMA’s tools are available in easily accessible platform online. Key messages ORAMMA developed multilingual material to meet the needs of PC professionals and of MAR women, in an innovative manner and with high relevance for cross-border knowledge transfer. ORAMMA addressed key aspects in delivery and access, focusing on cultural awareness and communication; its relevance extends well beyond perinatal care to improved family outcomes and public health.

Huaquería y arqueología. Una propuesta decolonial en Canto de sirena (1976) de Gregorio Martínez Navarro

This article discusses how Andean archaeology affects pothunting in terms of the colonialism of knowledge. To demonstrate this asymmetric relationship, in which a local knowledge contributes to the development of a universal science, the study focuses on the relationship between Candelario Navarro, a huaquero (pothunter) and the archaeologist Julio C. Tello, characters in Canto de sirena (1979), a novel/chronicle of Gregorio Martinez Navarro. The study also addresses how learning archaeological procedures and protocols helped huaqueros enhance their trade skills, which resulted in a cross-border knowledge transfer. However, huaqueros are still subjected to a subordinate position in the global market of archaeological remains.

Intellectual Baggage of Ethnic Migrants: Cross-border Knowledge Transfer and Recombination

Ethnic migrant inventors might differ from locals in terms of knowledge they bring to host firms. We study the role of first- generation ethnic migrant inventors in cross-border transfer of knowled...

Cross-border knowledge transfer and innovation in the European neighbourhood: Tourism cooperation at the Finnish-Russian border

Knowledge transfer and innovation cooperation between the EU and its neighbours has remained weakly developed. To promote this cooperation, the EU has set up initiatives for the European neighbourhood. The issue has, however, received very limited scholarly attention in the field of tourism. This research gap is addressed here via interview data collected from participants in tourism related EU-funded projects in the Finnish-Russian cross-border region. These underline the importance of EU-funding in facilitating knowledge transfer and innovation between Finland and Russia. While language issues, and differences in business culture and administrative/legislative systems between the two countries, constitute barriers for practical cross-border cooperation, it is cross-border differences in culture and technological capabilities that drive cross-border knowledge transfer and innovation in the cross-border region. The paper concludes with policy recommendations for promoting future cross-border cooperation in innovation and tourism.

Promoting cross-border knowledge transfer for new product development in MNCs: a process view

Cross-border knowledge transfer plays an important role in the competitive advantage of multinational corporations (MNCs). However, it can be quite challenging due to cultural differences and lack of trust between organizational units located in different countries. Prior studies have not explored the knowledge transfer process (and its key nodes) in new product development in MNCs. This research aims to understand this process focusing on how knowledge transfer can be promoted through trust and understanding of cultural traits. A qualitative single-case study of an automotive MNC was conducted. I found that for the key nodes of the process, the company leveraged different mechanisms to promote knowledge transfer. These mechanisms facilitated trust and understanding of cultural traits. Headquarters provided key administrative support for these mechanisms. This study contributes to the literature through proposing a process view showing how knowledge transfer can be promoted by different mechanisms in different nodes of the process. In addition, insights were drawn on how to manage trust and the cultural difference across countries.

Effectiveness of cross-border knowledge transfer in Malaysian MSC status corporations

Knowledge has become the key asset for the economy to gain competitiveness as more and more countries have shifted or are shifting towards knowledge-based economy, no exception for Malaysia. In order to acquire and transfer technology and/or knowledge from overseas to Malaysia, Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) has been proposed. However, research focuses on cross-border knowledge transfer especially in the context of MSC status corporations in Malaysia is still limited. The factors that affect the effectiveness of cross-border knowledge transfer will be determined and presented in this paper. Quantitative approach has been adopted in this study. The findings of this study show that knowledge characteristics (KC) and network characteristics (NC) have positive significant relationship with cross-border knowledge transfer. The effects context towards KC and NC will also be examined in this study.

Cross-border knowledge transfer in Malaysian multimedia super corridor (MSC) status corporations

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify the antecedents of successful organizational cross-border knowledge transfer and also the relationship among the antecedents for sustainable competitive advantage.Design/methodology/approachFirst, a focus group study was conducted to identify major constructs and map out the proposed framework. This is then followed by questionnaire survey from 210 Malaysian multimedia super corridor (MSC) status corporations as recipients. Their international business affiliates refer to any organizations located outside Malaysia with which the recipient firm has a relationship. Data were analysed using SPSS.FindingsThe findings suggest that the perceived value of the knowledge, relational dimension and cognitive dimension, as well as recipient learning intent and the attractiveness of a foreign source are significant related to the effectiveness of organizational cross-border knowledge transfer.Research limitations/implicationsBecause this research only covered 210 MSC status corporations, future research can try to have more coverage on other industry to have larger sample size for generalizability purposes. Other factors such as organizational and context characteristics can be added as antecedents to strengthen the framework for effective knowledge transfer.Practical implicationsThe empirical findings can be used as a guideline for MSC status firms to undergo a self-check and help them rethink and reposition themselves in light of the findings. It helps MSC status corporations to frame their organizational cross-border knowledge transfer activities to enable the creation and application of knowledge which should allow them to drive the capability of creating and retaining a greater value onto their core business competencies.Originality/valueThis study provides valuable insights to help creating a successful foundation for organizational cross-border knowledge transfer. This study is also among few studies to examine the critical antecedents in successful organizational cross-border knowledge transfer from a multidimensional perspective in Malaysia.

Cognitive and cultural proximity between service managers and customers in cross-border regions: knowledge transfer implications

ABSTRACTKnowledge transfer between customers and managers is an important source of new ideas for innovation in the service industries. In cross-border regions, inter-cultural interactions engender but also constrain knowledge transfers between actors even when actors share similar economic and technological knowledge bases. This theme is explored through an analysis of cognitive and cultural proximity between service managers and customers from “the other side” in a European cross-border region where the constituent regions have broadly similar national cultures: Tornio-Haparanda on the border between Finland and Sweden. Semi-structured in-depth interviews with 19 Swedish and Finnish managers of small and micro businesses serving customers from both sides were undertaken to gauge their perceptions of the impact of cultural and cognitive proximity to customers on learning interactions. The study adds to the emerging literature in this field by identifying seven elements of cognitive and cultural proximity including mentality, ways of solving problems, conservatism, shared language, focus on contextualised details, mentality, and use of similar technologies. It is also original for suggesting some the implications for the possible impacts of perceived cultural and cognitive proximity on cross-border knowledge transfer between customers and managers.

Determinants of a successful cross-border knowledge transfer in franchise networks

PurposePrevious research on service multinational corporations (SMNCs) has mainly focused on the entry mode decisions in foreign markets. The purpose of this paper is to examine the cross-border knowledge transfer in franchisee networks in Pakistan.Design/methodology/approachThe qualitative semi-structure interviews approach is used to study the cross-border knowledge transfer from a franchisor to two local franchisee networks in Pakistan.FindingsThe results show that both explicit and tacit knowledge are transferred in cross-border franchise networks. The transfer of the knowledge from a franchisor to a franchisee is facilitated through the use of a variety of transfer mechanisms – both hard and soft transfer mechanisms, that is, video conferencing, emails, phone calls, seminars, meetings, documents and franchisor agents’ visits. The knowledge sharing in cross-border franchise networks in Pakistan shows numerous similarities with that occurring in manufacturing industries. The prior experience of the franchisee and the regional and local franchisors’ agents – their role as knowledge transfer agents (intermediaries) – facilitate the acquisition and assimilation of knowledge from the franchisor to a franchisee in the developing economies.Practical implicationsThe paper discusses relevant implications for managers of franchisor and franchisee networks by focusing on the need to engage with both explicit and tacit knowledge transfer. The experience of the franchisee is important for the acquisition and assimilation of knowledge.Originality/valueThis paper is the first in the context of cross-border knowledge transfer from a franchisor to a franchisee in the Pakistani context. The author highlights the important role of prior experience of the franchisee and the regional and local agents of the franchisor in the transfer of cross-border knowledge transfer under the franchising arrangements.

Can the Recently Enacted Data Localisation Requirements in the Russian Federation Backfire?

In the wake of ex-NSA contractor Edward Snowden’s surveillance revelations to the global public, and despite an unimpeded cross-border data flow and knowledge transfer being a pre-requisite for the development of the digital economy, governments around the world are increasingly tending to resort to mandatory local data storage and to restrictions and bans on data transfers in a rather drastic attempt to protect their citizens’ data security and privacy. This paper discusses the legal and economic aspects of the recently enacted data localization requirements in the Russian Federation, as well as the consequences for costs, uncertainty, and the hampering of business activities that may arise if they are applied unaltered. A principal conclusion reached is that a less extreme solution that adheres to or builds upon the existing global practices and takes into account non-economic goals should be considered. The study concludes with recommendations on the basis of two questions. First, can other countries offer Russia less extreme solutions in terms of uncertainty and financial expenditure? Second, how can Russia benefit from subject-related international cooperation?

The Role of Intergovernmental Organizations in Cross-border Knowledge Transfer and Innovation

Nonmarket organizations play a supportive role in knowledge transfer and innovation domestically, but national differences between them can create barriers to cross-border knowledge transfer. Internationally oriented nonmarket organizations—ones that develop international ties and partnerships—may generate commonalities among participants and promote a set of similar rules, expectations, and norms across different countries and thus may be effective in supporting cross-border knowledge transfer and innovation. We focus on one such kind of organization, the intergovernmental organization (IGO), as a country’s connectedness to learning-oriented IGOs may have a positive influence on national innovation. Using an illustrative caselet on one IGO, the Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum, and an empirical analysis spanning 83 countries from 1996 to 2006, we find that the extent of connectedness to the learning-oriented IGO network enables national innovation. But countries differ in the extent to which they can leverage external knowledge for innovation because of the variation in relationships among local constituencies.

Unpacking knowledge transfer and learning paradoxes in international strategic alliances: Contextual differences matter

This research unpacks the paradoxes in knowledge transfer and learning processes in international strategic alliances by highlighting the contextual differences between partner firms. Due to knowledge asymmetry, the major source of firm-level difference, partners face paralleling dilemmas in terms of withholding or transferring/applying the knowledge to the other/cooperative context. This research argues that knowledge protection is deterred by the large institutional distance between partners and that the alliance performance cannot be improved because of the decreased absorptive capacity. However, such negative impacts of country- and firm-specific characteristics can be alleviated if relational capital is substantially accumulated by partners to enhance cross-border knowledge transfer and learning processes. This research explores whether frequent interactions, strong mutual trust and reciprocal commitment positively moderate the impact of knowledge protection on absorptive capacity and that of absorptive capacity on alliance performance. Theoretical and managerial implications are provided.

Knowledge transfer across dissimilar cultures

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine factors that impact knowledge transfer from the parent corporation to subsidiaries when there are differences in the national culture of the parent corporation and the subsidiary. Transferring knowledge can be especially difficult when the source and recipient do not share common beliefs, assumptions and cultural norms. Therefore, this study examines how trust, cultural alignment, and openness to diversity influence the effectiveness of knowledge transfer from the HQ to the employees in the subsidiary.Design/methodology/approachSpecifically, the study examines knowledge transfer between the headquarters of a multinational corporation in Norway and its Vietnamese subsidiaries, making use of a survey administered to all 70 employees in the Vietnamese subsidiaries.FindingsThe results show that individual's trust of the HQ and their openness to diversity are key factors influencing local employees' ability to learn and obtain knowledge from foreign HQ. The extent to which there is alignment between the organization's corporate culture and the individual's cultural values, on the other hand, appear to make little difference to knowledge transfer from the HQ.Practical implicationsThis paper contributes to the literature in cross border knowledge transfer, showing that due to geographical distance or cultural differences between the HQ and the subsidiary, the cultivation of trust and openness to diversity on the part of local employees is critical for knowledge transfer.Originality/valueThe paper also contributes by examining knowledge transfer in an international context.

"Cultural Distance, Turbulence, and Friction: Advancing Constructs in Cross-border Knowledge Transfer"

This paper explores the relationship of cultural distance with cultural friction. We introduce cultural turbulence (the direction and ease of flow of cultural ideas, values, and actions across cultural distance) as a construct that impacts potential cultural friction (PCF). We highlight the importance of within-culture heterogeneity, an often ignored but meaningful characteristic of culture that is accounted for in the cultural turbulence construct. We build propositions regarding cultural turbulence and its relation to cultural friction and we provide illustrations of these constructs by applying them to cross-border knowledge transfer phenomena. To illustrate the cultural turbulence construct and its influence on PCF in more detail, we draw on data from the Cultural Perspectives Questionnaire database (Maznevski et al., 2002), and we provide measures of directional turbulence of origin countries to destination countries for 12 countries that are often included in international management research. Lastly, we explore how these measures contribute to the knowledge transfer discussion and we discuss implications for further research and for practice.

Enhancing international knowledge transfer through information technology: the intervention of communication culture

Nowadays, outsourcing and offshore-partnering activities have become popular business models for leading multinational enterprises. Usually, outsourcing not only helps leading multinational enterprises increase their competitive advantage, but also offers suppliers a great opportunity to learn from their international customers. Hence, it raises the issue of what factors are important for suppliers to successfully manage knowledge transfer in the international context. In the previous studies, little attention has been paid to how information technology (IT) influences cross-border knowledge transfer. In this present study, taken from the supplier’s perspective, we propose that IT can improve the quality and quantity of information exchange, and have a positive influence on cross-border knowledge transfer. Based on a sample site of 206 Taiwanese suppliers and tested by the multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS) statistical approach, the empirical results reveal that a knowledge management integrated database has a positive impact on technical knowledge transfer. Additionally, when in a low-context communication culture, video conferencing has a positive impact on technical knowledge transfer and instant messaging also has a positive impact on marketing knowledge transfer. Importantly, inter-organisational IT does not have a significant impact on knowledge transfer when in a high-context communication culture.

International Integration and Coordination in MNEs

The focus theme “International integration and coordination in MNEs—Implications for international management” is introduced and the motivation for this focus issue theme is outlined. The premise of the theme is the notion that the nature of organizational response to heightened global dynamism has changed. It is argued that the managerial mechanisms or “tools” necessary to accomplish coordination tasks have changed accordingly. The manuscripts included in this focused issue capture this perspective building conceptual and empirical contributions. These include cross-border knowledge transfer, global strategy implementation, IT integration as enabler of MNE-supplier responsiveness, intra-firm architectural network configuration, regional integration perspectives from Latin America and integration and coordination in the global factory.