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Repatriate knowledge transfer: Antecedents and boundary conditions of a dyadic process

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  • Burmeister, Anne
  • Lazarova, Mila B.
  • Deller, Jürgen

Abstract

In this study, we build on the ability-motivation-opportunity framework to test whether both repatriates’ disseminative capacity and domestic employees’ absorptive capacity as well as their opportunities for interaction affect repatriate knowledge transfer. Further, we examine the moderating effects of two distinctive factors associated with repatriate knowledge transfer: repatriate knowledge characteristics and characteristics of international assignments. Using multi-source time-lagged data from 101 dyads, we find support for most of our hypotheses. Our study contributes to theory and practice by providing an integrated analysis of antecedents and boundary conditions of repatriate knowledge transfer and by highlighting its dyadic nature.

Suggested Citation

  • Burmeister, Anne & Lazarova, Mila B. & Deller, Jürgen, 2018. "Repatriate knowledge transfer: Antecedents and boundary conditions of a dyadic process," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 53(6), pages 806-816.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:worbus:v:53:y:2018:i:6:p:806-816
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jwb.2018.06.004
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    2. Fortwengel, Johann & Gutierrez Huerter O, Gabriela & Kostova, Tatiana, 2023. "Three decades of research on practice transfer in multinational firms: Past contributions and future opportunities," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 58(3).
    3. Crespo, Cátia Fernandes & Lages, Luis Filipe & Crespo, Nuno Fernandes, 2020. "Improving subsidiaries' innovation through knowledge inflows from headquarters and peer subsidiaries," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 26(4).
    4. Szkudlarek, Betina & Osland, Joyce S. & Nardon, Luciara & Zander, Lena, 2020. "Communication and culture in international business – Moving the field forward," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 55(6).
    5. Shao, Jun Jie & Bayraktar, Secil & Al Ariss, Akram, 2022. "Knowledge transfer of Chinese self-initiated repatriates: Exploring the returnee and company perspectives," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 150(C), pages 12-25.
    6. Kiessling, Timothy & Maley, Jane Frances & Moeller, Miriam & Dabić, Marina, 2023. "Managing global knowledge transfer: Inpatriate manager embeddedness and firm innovation," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 32(2).

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