Learning from Foreign Subsidiaries: An Empirical Investigation of Headquarters' Benefits from Reverse Knowledge Transfers
Journal
International Business Review
ISSN
0969-5931
ISSN-Digital
1873-6149
Type
journal article
Date Issued
2006-06-01
Author(s)
Abstract (De)
Within MNCs, the traditional role of headquarters as prime source of knowledge and competencies is changing. Increasingly, headquarters act as a receiver of knowledge from their internationally dispersed subsidiaries. But what drives the benefits headquarters can gain from such reverse knowledge transfers? Drawing on an empirical sample of 294 intra-MNC knowledge transfers, we identify the key variables impacting on headquarters' ability to benefit from reverse knowledge transfer. Taken collectively, our findings indicate that the efficiency of the MNC as a knowledge integrating institution is being driven by changes in both, the subsidiary's context and its capabilities to process knowledge. We discuss the implications of our analysis on the emerging knowledge based theory of the firm, draw out inferences for the strategic agenda of MNCs and suggest avenues for future research.
Language
German
HSG Classification
contribution to scientific community
Refereed
Yes
Publisher
Elsevier
Publisher place
Amsterdam
Volume
15
Number
3
Start page
294
End page
312
Pages
19
Subject(s)
Division(s)
Eprints ID
218078