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Dispersed entrepreneurship within multinational corporations: A community perspective

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  • Lee, Soo Hee
  • Williams, Christopher

Abstract

The paper develops a new theoretical perspective on the phenomenon of dispersed entrepreneurship in large multinational corporations (MNCs). We argue that the creation and sharing of knowledge in entrepreneurial initiatives involving MNCs is underpinned by a behavioural theory of entrepreneurial communities and that these communities drive the evolution of the MNC organization. While we do not refute related theories of the organization as a social community or communities of practice providing a basis for learning and innovation, we suggest that a different kind of community facilitates dispersed entrepreneurial behaviours within the MNC. This community links participants by a shared desire to create new knowledge for international competition. To succeed in discovering, evaluating and exploiting new opportunities, managers need to allow and nurture situations of high-boundary porosity. The main characteristics, antecedents and consequences of these communities are identified and presented as a conceptual model.

Suggested Citation

  • Lee, Soo Hee & Williams, Christopher, 2007. "Dispersed entrepreneurship within multinational corporations: A community perspective," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 42(4), pages 505-519, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:worbus:v:42:y:2007:i:4:p:505-519
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    3. Williams, Christopher & Lee, Soo Hee, 2009. "International management, political arena and dispersed entrepreneurship in the MNC," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 44(3), pages 287-299, July.
    4. Ambos, Tina C. & Hughes, Mathew (Mat) & Niemand, Thomas & Kraus, Sascha, 2023. "Subsidiary managers' initiative pursuit: A behavioral agency model," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 29(3).
    5. Yanto Chandra & Chris Styles & Ian Wilkinson, 2015. "Opportunity portfolio: Moving beyond single opportunity explanations in international entrepreneurship research," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 32(1), pages 199-228, March.
    6. Borini, Felipe Mendes & de Miranda Oliveira, Moacir & Silveira, Franciane Freitas & de Oliveira Concer, Ronald, 2012. "The reverse transfer of innovation of foreign subsidiaries of Brazilian multinationals," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 30(3), pages 219-231.
    7. Malgorzata Rozkwitalska, 2016. "Thriving in Intercultural Interactions as an Antecedent of Organizational Creativity and Innovation (Prosperowanie w interakcjach miedzykulturowych jako poprzednik organizacyjnej kreatywnosci i innowa," Problemy Zarzadzania, University of Warsaw, Faculty of Management, vol. 14(61), pages 142-155.
    8. Alexander Tabares & Yanto Chandra & Claudia Alvarez & Manuela Escobar-Sierra, 2021. "Opportunity-related behaviors in international entrepreneurship research: a multilevel analysis of antecedents, processes, and outcomes," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 17(1), pages 321-368, March.
    9. Williams, Christopher & Lee, Soo Hee, 2011. "Entrepreneurial contexts and knowledge coordination within the multinational corporation," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 46(2), pages 253-264, April.
    10. Clark, Kim & Ramachandran, Indu, 2019. "Subsidiary Entrepreneurship and Entrepreneurial Opportunity: An Institutional Perspective," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 25(1), pages 37-50.
    11. Martina Musteen & Ross Curran & Nuno Arroteia & Maria Ripollés & Andreu Blesa, 2018. "A Community of Practice Approach to Teaching International Entrepreneurship," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 8(4), pages 1-17, September.
    12. Kabbara, Diala & Zucchella, Antonella, 2023. "Transnational entrepreneurship. Insights from female entrepreneurs in the modest fashion industry," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 29(5).
    13. Kostova, Tatiana & Marano, Valentina & Tallman, Stephen, 2016. "Headquarters–subsidiary relationships in MNCs: Fifty years of evolving research," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 51(1), pages 176-184.
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