Guo, Y, Jasovska, P, Rammal, HG et al. (1 more author) (2018) Global mobility of professionals and the transfer of tacit knowledge in multinational service firms. Journal of Knowledge Management, 24 (3). pp. 553-567. ISSN 1367-3270
Abstract
Purpose: The use of expatriates to transfer individual and organizational know-how and knowledge is a practice widely used by multinational enterprises (MNEs). However, for service firms, the mobility of employees across national borders depends on the commitments made by countries under the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS). In particular, the Mode 4 form of supply under GATS can limit the ability of professionals to enter a particular country and can restrict the intra-organizational transfer of knowledge in multinational service firms. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how MNEs attempt to overcome these barriers and transfer knowledge through their global network.
Design/methodology/approach: Using Nonaka and Takeuchi’s SECI model of knowledge transfer, the authors study the intra-organizational knowledge transfer practices of an Indian multinational service firm. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 key informants involved with the organization.
Findings: The company uses global teams to transfer tacit knowledge and facilitates inpatriation through an internship program that helps the firm overcome nationality requirement that restricts the movement of their managers to other countries, which in turn limits their ability to transfer knowledge in the intra-organizational setting. The company uses the services of a not-for-profit youth organization that helps recruit interns for the program and also facilitates the relationship with the Indian Government, which provides support for this initiative by reducing barriers to entry for the interns.
Originality/value: This study takes the unique approach of studying barriers to movement of professionals and a firm’s strategic response. It identifies the pressures and barriers that companies face in the global economy and highlights the role of government agencies and other stakeholders in facilitating or restricting the transfer of knowledge within a firm’s international network. The paper articulates the implications for policy and practice, and a future research agenda.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © Emerald Publishing Limited 2018. Published by Emerald Publishing Limited. Licensed re-use rights only. This is an author produced version of a paper published in Journal of Knowledge Management. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Keywords: | Mobility; Knowledge transfer; Tacit knowledge; Services; Internship; Inpatriation |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Business (Leeds) > International Business Division (LUBS) (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 05 Apr 2018 12:10 |
Last Modified: | 05 Aug 2020 10:52 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Emerald |
Identification Number: | 10.1108/JKM-09-2017-0399 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:129271 |