Knowledge ties among subsidiaries in MNCs: A multi-level conceptual model

While ties among subsidiaries--the key players of a MNC network--are a prerequisite for the formation of the network and the flow of knowledge within the organization, we know little about factors influencing the formation of such ties. By building on the literature on inter-firm networks and knowledge-based view of the firm, we develop a multi-level model consisting of subsidiary characteristics, dyadic dynamics, and salient contextual factors to explain the inter-subsidiary collaboration for knowledge development and exchange. We bring to the fore the importance of examining multiple dimensions in understanding what predicts tie formation and the efficacy of these ties in creating a knowledge advantage. This paper advances the notion of subsidiary knowledge networking capability--the ability to form, manage, and leverage a network for gaining and sharing knowledge--and suggests that such capability is critical for subsidiaries and by extension the MNC, to achieve a competitive advantage.