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Procedural Justice, Not Absorptive Capacity, Matters in Multinational Enterprise ICT Transfers

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  • Alain Verbeke

    (University of Calgary)

  • Vernon Bachor

    (St. Cloud State University)

  • Brenda Nguyen

    (University of Calgary)

Abstract

This paper empirically tests the effectiveness of information and communications technology (ICT) knowledge transfer and adoption in the multinational enterprise (MNE) as an issue of critical importance to contemporary MNE functioning. In contrast to mainstream thinking on absorptive capacity, but in line with prevailing international business theory, our research supports the proposition that perceptions of procedural justice, rather than absorptive capacity, determine effectiveness, especially in cases of high tacit knowledge transfers. Data was collected from senior ICT representatives in 86 Canadian subsidiaries of foreign owned MNEs. Each of these subsidiaries recently experienced a significant ICT transfer imposed by the parent organization. Support was found for the main propositions: Procedural justice significantly predicted successful ICT transfer and adoption, while absorptive capacity was not significant. These findings are consistent even when knowledge tacitness was high. The perceived success of the ICT transfer as well as its adoption varied widely across these firms. The potential reasons for this divergence in effectiveness are manifold, but our findings suggest that in situations of substantial knowledge tacitness, a higher level of procedural justice, rather than a higher level of absorptive capacity, is critical to effective transfer and adoption.

Suggested Citation

  • Alain Verbeke & Vernon Bachor & Brenda Nguyen, 2013. "Procedural Justice, Not Absorptive Capacity, Matters in Multinational Enterprise ICT Transfers," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 53(4), pages 535-554, August.
  • Handle: RePEc:spr:manint:v:53:y:2013:i:4:d:10.1007_s11575-012-0156-x
    DOI: 10.1007/s11575-012-0156-x
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    Cited by:

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    2. Debmalya Mukherjee & Satish Kumar & Naveen Donthu & Nitesh Pandey, 2021. "Research Published in Management International Review from 2006 to 2020: A Bibliometric Analysis and Future Directions," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 61(5), pages 599-642, October.
    3. Sheng, Margaret L., 2019. "Foreign tacit knowledge and a capabilities perspective on MNEs’ product innovativeness: Examining source-recipient knowledge absorption platforms," International Journal of Information Management, Elsevier, vol. 44(C), pages 154-163.
    4. Özcan, Gül Berna & Coronado Mondragon, Adrian E. & Harindranath, G., 2018. "Strategic entry and operational integration of emerging market firms: The case of Cemex, Beko and Tata Steel in the UK," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 93(C), pages 242-254.
    5. Dellestrand, Henrik & Holm, Ulf & Lindahl, Olof, 2023. "Moving beyond the transfer dyad: Exploring network influences on transfer effectiveness," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 32(2).

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