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Knowledge management and involvement in innovations in MNC subsidiaries

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  • Stewart Johnston

    (University of Melbourne)

  • Angela Paladino

    (University of Melbourne)

Abstract

and Key Results This study investigates Penrose’s analysis of the relationship between resources (especially knowledge), management of those resources and innovation in a sample of 313 Australian subsidiaries of foreign-owned multinational corporations (MNCs). The frequency of use of knowledge management (KM) techniques by subsidiaries tended to be associated with factors internal to the MNC/subsidiary such as MNC size, level of technology and extent of communications networks. The subsidiary’s involvement in the MNC’s innovations network tended to be associated with external factors such as the innovativeness of the industry and degree of involvement with local organizations. Nevertheless, in accordance with the expectations from the literature, there remained a significant association between frequency of use of KM techniques and involvement in the innovations network of the MNC.

Suggested Citation

  • Stewart Johnston & Angela Paladino, 2007. "Knowledge management and involvement in innovations in MNC subsidiaries," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 47(2), pages 281-302, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:manint:v:47:y:2007:i:2:d:10.1007_s11575-007-0016-2
    DOI: 10.1007/s11575-007-0016-2
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    3. Michailova, Snejina & Mustaffa, Zaidah, 2012. "Subsidiary knowledge flows in multinational corporations: Research accomplishments, gaps, and opportunities," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 47(3), pages 383-396.
    4. Cegarra-Navarro, Juan Gabriel & Ruiz, Francisco Javier Alfonso & Martínez-Caro, Eva & Garcia-Perez, Alexeis, 2021. "Turning heterogeneity into improved research outputs in international R&D teams," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 128(C), pages 770-778.
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    8. Wang, Na & Wang, Yonggui, 2021. "Does parenting matter in subsidiary innovation in emerging economies? Exploring the role of parent superior competitiveness in affecting subsidiary contextual ambidexterity," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 30(1).
    9. Abdelmohsen A. Nassani & Asad Javed & Joanna Rosak-Szyrocka & Ladislav Pilar & Zahid Yousaf & Mohamed Haffar, 2023. "Major Determinants of Innovation Performance in the Context of Healthcare Sector," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(6), pages 1-14, March.
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