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MNC knowledge transfer, subsidiary absorptive capacity and HRM

Author

Listed:
  • Dana Minbaeva

    (Copenhagen Business School, Denmark)

  • Torben Pedersen

    (Copenhagen Business School, Denmark)

  • Ingmar Björkman

    (1] Swedish School of Economics, Helsinki, Finland[2] INSEAD Euro-Asia Centre, France)

  • Carl F Fey

    (1] Stockholm School of Economics, Sweden[2] Stockholm School of Economics in Saint Petersburg, Russia)

  • Hyeon Jeong Park

    (Cornell University, USA)

Abstract

Based on a sample of 169 subsidiaries of multinational corporations (MNCs) operating in the USA, Russia, and Finland, this paper investigates the relationship between MNC subsidiary HRM practices, absorptive capacity and knowledge transfer. First, we examine the relationship between the application of specific HRM practices and the level of the absorptive capacity. Second, we suggest that absorptive capacity should be conceptualized as being comprised of both employees’ ability and motivation. Further, results indicate that both ability and motivation (absorptive capacity) are needed to facilitate the transfer of knowledge from other parts of the MNC.

Suggested Citation

  • Dana Minbaeva & Torben Pedersen & Ingmar Björkman & Carl F Fey & Hyeon Jeong Park, 2014. "MNC knowledge transfer, subsidiary absorptive capacity and HRM," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 45(1), pages 38-51, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:jintbs:v:45:y:2014:i:1:p:38-51
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Lei Wang & Jun Li, 2017. "The antecedents and innovation outcomes of firms’ absorptive capacity in global buyer–supplier relationships," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 42(6), pages 1407-1430, December.
    2. Kawai, Norifumi & Chung, Chul, 2019. "Expatriate utilization, subsidiary knowledge creation and performance: The moderating role of subsidiary strategic context," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 54(1), pages 24-36.
    3. Kiu Wakimura & Fibria Indriati, 2022. "Exploring the Enablers and Disablers of Effective Knowledge Transfer within a Cross-cultural Context: The Case of a Japanese MNC in West Java, Indonesia," Technium Social Sciences Journal, Technium Science, vol. 32(1), pages 13-26, June.
    4. Matošková Jana & Směšná Petra, 2017. "Human resource management practices stimulating knowledge sharing," Management & Marketing, Sciendo, vol. 12(4), pages 614-632, December.
    5. Nigel Driffield & Yong Yang, 2021. "Leveraging the benefits of location decisions into performance:A global view from matched MNEs," Working Papers 011, The Productivity Institute.
    6. López-Sáez, Pedro & Cruz-González, Jorge & Navas-López, Jose Emilio & Perona-Alfageme, María del Mar, 2021. "Organizational integration mechanisms and knowledge transfer effectiveness in MNCs: The moderating role of cross-national distance," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 27(4).
    7. Almodóvar, Paloma & Nguyen, Quyen T.K., 2022. "Product innovation of domestic firms versus foreign MNE subsidiaries: The role of external knowledge sources," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 184(C).
    8. Song, Ji-Won, 2021. "How MNE subsidiaries transfer HRM practices in distant environments: A tale of two IKEA subsidiaries," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 27(2).
    9. Zeng, Rong & Grøgaard, Birgitte & Steel, Piers, 2018. "Complements or substitutes? A meta-analysis of the role of integration mechanisms for knowledge transfer in the MNE network," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 53(4), pages 415-432.
    10. Del Sarto, Nicola & Cruz Cazares, Claudio & Di Minin, Alberto, 2022. "Startup accelerators as an open environment: The impact on startups’ innovative performance," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 113(C).
    11. Dimitrios Georgakakis & Mads E. Wedell-Wedellsborg & Tommaso Vallone & Peder Greve, 2023. "Strategic leaders in multinational enterprises: A role-specific microfoundational view and research agenda," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 54(3), pages 514-537, April.
    12. Castillo-Apraiz, Julen & Matey de Antonio, Jesús, 2018. "Does quality pay in the pharmaceutical industry? The mediating role of training of personnel between quality management and performance," Revista de Dirección y Administración de Empresas, Universidad del País Vasco - Escuela Universitaria de Estudios Empresariales de San Sebastián.
    13. Ang, Siah Hwee & Benischke, Mirko H. & Hooi, Andrea Wai-Leng, 2018. "Frequency of international expansion through high control market expansion modes and interlocked directorships," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 53(4), pages 493-503.
    14. H. Emre Yildiz & Adis Murtic & Udo Zander & Anders Richtnér, 2019. "What Fosters Individual-Level Absorptive Capacity in MNCs? An Extended Motivation–Ability–Opportunity Framework," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 59(1), pages 93-129, February.
    15. repec:thr:techub:10032:y:2022:i:1:p:13-26 is not listed on IDEAS
    16. Castillo Apraiz, Julen & Matey de Antonio, Jesús, 2020. "The mediating role of personnel training between innovation and performance: Evidence from the German pharmaceutical industry," Cuadernos de Gestión, Universidad del País Vasco - Instituto de Economía Aplicada a la Empresa (IEAE).
    17. Apriliyanti, Indri Dwi & Alon, Ilan, 2017. "Bibliometric analysis of absorptive capacity," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 26(5), pages 896-907.
    18. Shao, Jun Jie & Ariss, Akram AL, 2020. "Knowledge transfer between self-initiated expatriates and their organizations: Research propositions for managing SIEs," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 29(1).
    19. Jean-Marie Nkongolo-Bakenda & Elie V. Chrysostome, 2020. "Exploring the organizing and strategic factors of diasporic transnational entrepreneurs in Canada: An empirical study," Journal of International Entrepreneurship, Springer, vol. 18(3), pages 336-372, September.
    20. Ana Lucia Brenner Barreto Miranda & Cristine Hermann Nodari & Eliana Andrea Severo & Raquel Engelman, 2022. "Tendencies of the Absorptive Capacity and Its Correlation with Innovation and the Incubated Companies’ Performance," Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Emerging Economies, Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India, vol. 8(1), pages 121-142, January.
    21. Yan, Ji & Tsinopoulos, Christos & Xiong, Yu, 2021. "Unpacking the impact of innovation ambidexterity on export performance: Microfoundations and infrastructure investment," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 30(1).
    22. Antonella Biscione & Chiara Burlina & Raul Caruso & Annunziata de Felice, 2021. "Innovation in Transition countries: the role of training," Working Papers 1013, European Centre of Peace Science, Integration and Cooperation (CESPIC), Catholic University 'Our Lady of Good Counsel'.
    23. Zhang, Feng & Jiang, Guohua & Cantwell, John A., 2019. "Geographically Dispersed Technological Capability Building and MNC Innovative Performance: The Role of Intra-firm Flows of Newly Absorbed Knowledge," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 25(3), pages 1-1.

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