Wang, M., Wei, Y. orcid.org/0000-0003-2556-880X, Wang, C.L. et al. (1 more author) (2025) International Knowledge Transfer through International Entrepreneurship: A Systematic Review and Research Agenda. International Journal of Management Reviews. ISSN 1460-8545
Abstract
We conducted a systematic literature review on international knowledge transfer (IKT) via international entrepreneurship (IE), synthesising fragmented research that employs various conceptualisations, methodological approaches and theoretical lenses. Based on a review of 40 articles, we inductively developed an analytical framework comprising four key elements: international knowledge, international knowledge agents, IKT processes and outcomes. Our review identifies three dominant types of international knowledge agents in IE: returnee entrepreneurs, transnational entrepreneurs and international corporate entrepreneurs who actively engage in IKT. Three distinctive IKT processes emerge: one-way knowledge transfer, two-way knowledge transfer and interactive knowledge transfer, which result in outcomes at individual, organisational, regional and national levels, as well as at their intersections. Guided by this framework, we identify and analyse key research themes, highlighting main methodological and theoretical approaches, and revealing significant gaps and inconsistencies. Our paper advances knowledge on IKT via IE by developing an integrated framework that provides conceptual clarity and a cohesive understanding of this intentional, systematic, outcome-oriented process. Our analytical framework facilitates the identification of future research directions along the dimensions of 5Cs: complementarity of knowledge, (re-)contextualisation of knowledge, connectivity of knowledge, community capitalism and cross-disciplinary research.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2025 The Author(s). International Journal of Management Reviews published by British Academy of Management and John Wiley & Sons Ltd. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. |
Keywords: | Knowledge transfer, international entrepreneurship, international knowledge agents |
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: | 15 Apr 2025 10:46 |
Last Modified: | 02 Jun 2025 14:13 |
Published Version: | https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ijmr.1... |
Status: | Published online |
Publisher: | Wiley |
Identification Number: | 10.1111/ijmr.12400 |
Sustainable Development Goals: | |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:225486 |