The impact of distance on knowledge transfer effectiveness in multinational corporations

This paper aims to shed light on the interplay of knowledge transfer mechanisms and distance within the MNC. While it is largely undisputed that cross-boarder knowledge flows contribute to the firm's success, our knowledge on the effects of specific transfer mechanisms is scarce. We examine the impact of different dimensions of distance to test the applicability of personal coordination mechanisms (PCM) and technology-based coordination mechanisms (TCM) in situations of differentiation and dispersion. Data on 324 knowledge transfer relationships of MNC units was used to test our hypotheses. While TCM function relatively context-free, we find that PCM are moderated by distance. Our results support moderating effects of geographic, cultural and linguistic distance, which are vital to our understanding of knowledge transfer effectiveness in MNCs.     

False foe? When and how code switching practices can support knowledge sharing in multinational corporations

The operating environment of multinational corporations (MNC) is multilingual, adding significant complexity to knowledge-sharing interactions between employees. In this paper, we explore how knowledge sharing in MNCs is influenced by code switching, or shifting between languages during interaction. Previous international business research has mostly described code switching as a behavior that has a negative impact on knowledge sharing by creating distrust and exclusion. Our case study of a major Finnish MNC from the perspective of faultline theory shows that in situations where organizational norms and routines help limit the potential impacts of code switching on subgroup formation and inter-subgroup animosity, it can also aid knowledge sharing by (i) supporting the development and maintenance of key technical vocabulary, (ii) enhancing inclusion in knowledge-sharing interactions, and (iii) supporting knowledge contextualization processes. Thus, code switching is not necessarily just a form of linguistic interference, but it can also be intended—and often functions—as a strategic behavior that draws on multiple languages to build efficient and successful knowledge-sharing interactions.     

The Effect of Language Differences and National Culture on Operational Process Compliance

With increasing frequency, firms are locating their operations in disparate countries with distinct national cultures and languages. This study develops and empirically tests hypotheses relating an operation's process compliance performance to (1) the presence of a language difference between the location of the operation and that of headquarters and (2) the national culture of the location of the operation and that of headquarters. Employing an international sample of pharmaceutical manufacturing plants located primarily in Western nations, the analysis reveals that a language difference between the location of a plant and the firm's headquarters is consistently related to decreased process compliance at the plant level. Regarding national culture, only limited evidence of a direct relationship between national cultural dimensions (at either the plant or headquarters location) and process compliance exists. However, the analysis does suggest that cultural congruence between the location of the plant and that of headquarters can relate to improved compliance performance. Such a relationship depends on the specific national cultural dimension studied. While these results are obtained in a specific manufacturing setting, they potentially have implications for process compliance in any global operation.     

DISENFRANCHISEMENT IN LINGUISTICALLY DIVERSE SOCIETIES: THE CASE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION

We consider a linguistically diversified society and examine the notion of language disenfranchisement when some individuals are denied the full access to documents and political process in their native tongues. To calculate the disenfranchisement indices we use the Dyen percentage cognate matrix of linguistic distances between Indo‐European languages and apply survey and population data on language proficiency in the European Union. We then determine optimal sets of official languages that depend on society's sensitivity against disenfranchisement and comprehensiveness of the chosen language regime. We also discuss the language situation in the European Union after its last enlargement. (JEL: D70, O52, Z13)     

The emergence of sustainable manufacturing practices

Sustainable manufacturing appears to be a rapidly developing field and it would be expected that there is a growing body of knowledge in this area. Initial examination of the literature shows evidence of sustainable work in the areas of product design, supply chain, production technology and waste avoidance activities. Manufacturers publish metrics showing significant improvements in environmental performance at high level but information on how these improvements are achieved is sparse. Examining peer-reviewed publications focused on production operations there are few cases reporting details and there has been little prior analysis of published sustainable manufacturing activity. Moreover, the mismatch between academic and practitioner language leads to challenges in interpretation. This article captures and analyses the types of sustainable manufacturing activities through literature review. In turn, this can help manufacturers to access examples of good practice and help academics identify areas for future research.     

战略采购对制造企业知识获取的影响研究:供应商网络视角

以我国制造企业为研究对象,从供应商网络视角出发,探索了战略采购对制造企业知识获取的影响。构建了包括战略采购、供应商网络嵌入性、制造企业与供应商互动、制造企业知识获取之间关系的概念模型并提出了相应的理论假设。采用结构方程模型进行验证,实证结果表明战略采购对关系嵌入性、结构嵌入性和制造企业与供应商互动均有显著的正向影响,并进而通过它们显著正向影响制造企业知识获取。     

The impact of knowledge properties on international manufacturing transfer performance

Abstract

This paper examines how knowledge properties of a manufacturing activity transfer in international manufacturing network impact performance during the transfer itself and after steady state has been reached. Hierarchical regression was used to test the relationship on survey data from 178 companies. Knowledge properties as a group was significantly affected by both performance measures when controlling for the effects of sender unit experience, sender unit size and receiver unit experience. The activities transferred thus impact the success of the transfer. The control variables of sender unit experience and receiver unit experience have their relatively strongest performance effects after steady state has been reached. Independency was the single knowledge property dimensions with the strongest relative performance effect. This is one of the first survey studies to cover both the performance of the transfer itself and after reaching steady state of manufacturing transfers. Several strands of further research were therefore identified.     

组织学习与技术转移绩效的关系研究

选择珠江三角洲地区157家制造型企业为研究对象,构建结构方程模型,深入探讨技术授收双方互动和知识创新分别对组织学习与技术转移绩效关系的调节与中介作用。结果显示:组织学习对技术转移绩效具有显著的正向影响;技术授收双方的互动在组织学习对技术转移绩效的影响中起调节作用;知识创新在组织学习对技术转移绩效的影响中起部分中介作用。这些结论有助于理解组织学习影响技术转移绩效的机理,使组织学习理论能够更好地指导技术转移实践。     

Fuzzy multi-attribute decision-making for evaluating manufacturing flexibility

Evaluation of manufacturing flexibility in operations management is important to determine the competitiveness of manufacturing system, and is being increasing discussed in the literature on manufacturing system. The objective of this research is to develop a multi-attribute decision-making model based on fuzzy set theory to improving the manufacturing flexibility evaluation process. Since most information available in this stage is not numerical, fuzzy linguistic assessment is used to represent the performance rating of all flexibility metrics under flexibility dimensions and importance grade of all flexibility dimensions. This paper proposes a modified LOWA operator, which uses the maximum entropy weights, and uses it to direct computation on linguistic terms. The developed model evaluates the degree of manufacturing flexibility that can assist decision-makers, when making capital investment decisions and measuring performance, in finding the need for improving manufacturing flexibility, and in determining the dimensions of flexibility as the best directions to improvement. Examples using a case study of leading Taiwan firm in the bicycle industry are used to illustrate the concept developed. In addition, sensitivity analysis can be performed to examine the solution reasonability.     

Unveiling the black box of IJV innovativeness: The role of explicit and tacit knowledge transfer

This paper explores the relationships between the tacit knowledge, explicit knowledge, and innovativeness of International Joint Ventures (IJVs) based on knowledge-based and learning theories. In the context of IJVs, the relationship between knowledge (explicit and tacit) transfer and innovativeness is still complicated by many challenges. We conducted a survey of 199 IJVs in South Korea. A structural equation model was used to test hypothesized linkages. Our results confirm that explicit knowledge transfer is positively associated with innovativeness. The explicit knowledge transferred from the foreign parent to the IJV has a stronger impact on innovativeness than tacit knowledge does. Additionally, tacit knowledge proved to not exhibit a direct impact on the innovativeness of IJVs. The results provide strong support for the mediating role of explicit knowledge in the relationship between tacit knowledge transfer and an IJV's innovativeness. Finally, the strength of the relationship between only explicit knowledge transferred from a parent firm and an IJV's innovativeness increases with international work experience.     

Cooperation and Knowledge Transfer within Buyer–Supplier Relationships: The Moderating Properties of Trust,Relationship Duration and Supplier Performance*

This paper examines the effect of relational factors on knowledge transfer within strategic buyer–supplier exchange. Prior research examining inter‐firm knowledge transfer has focused almost exclusively on horizontal forms of governance such as strategic alliances and joint ventures, whilst research on vertical forms, such as buyer–supplier relationships, is limited. We test the effect of four important relational properties: cooperation, trust, relationship duration and supplier performance. Quantitative data, gathered from 104 UK manufacturing firms in eight industry sectors, are used to analyse the hypothesized relationships through a moderated hierarchical regression model. Our study provides support for the importance of considering relational factors in the transfer of knowledge at the inter‐organizational level. In particular, the results indicate that knowledge transfer is positively influenced by the extent of cooperation, but that this relationship is moderated by the level of trust and the performance of the supplier firm. Managerial implications for these findings and future directions for research are then offered.     

The Impact of Complexity on Knowledge Transfer in Manufacturing Networks

Coordinating knowledge transfer within multi‐plant manufacturing networks is a challenging task. Using a computational model, we examine when it is beneficial to create production knowledge within a central unit, the “lead factory,” and transfer it to geographically dispersed plants. We demonstrate that the knowledge transfer generates a trade‐off between a positive cost‐saving effect due to fewer adaptations in each plant, and a negative transfer cost effect due to the costly knowledge transfer itself. The complexity of the production process moderates the performance implications of the knowledge transfer because it determines the relative strength of these two effects. For production processes with low complexity, knowledge transfer can engender superior network performance. Here, an optimal extent of knowledge transfer exists, and thus, a complete knowledge transfer is not performance maximizing. For production processes with medium and high levels of complexity, performance is reduced rather than enhanced through knowledge transfer so that it is optimal not to transfer any knowledge from the lead factory to the plants. While we analyze knowledge transfer within a manufacturing network, our results are transferable to other settings that consist of a knowledge sending and receiving unit.     

The operation of an integrated manufacturing system with customer access via electronic data interchange

Abstract. This paper reports a model of a real-time manufacturing system. Within this system the ongoing operations of the shop floor are monitored and up-to-the-minute information is maintained. Such a manufacturing system incorporates information as soon as it becomes available and it assembles and processes items only if the required parts from the preceding stages are available. In addition, the manufacturing system is interfaced with the customer by means of electronic data interchange. This allows instant communication between the manufacturing enterprise and the customer. The model reported here incorporates these features. Thus the real-life impact of uncertainties as they relate to an integrated shop-floor control environment is captured by the model. Several hypotheses relating to various variables and their interactions are formed and tested. The differences between the deterministic and the real-time environment are highlighted.     

?Beratungsstelle �C Was sollen wir da?�� Sprache in multikulturellen Supervisionsgruppen

The article shows the importance of the (mother) tongue for a supervision process with multicultural participants. Its focus is on how to use language deliberately and in a professional way in case German is not the participants?? first language. By looking at some basic aspects, the correlation between language and culture is laid out. In the following, the theory is illustrated by means of practical examples from working with a multicultural and linguistically heterogeneous group. The author draws some general consequences from the interdependence of theory and practice with a view to linguistic actions of a supervisor in multicultural groups. The article closes with four recommendations for this specific learning environment.     

The influence of industry structure on the entry mode choice of overseas entrants in manufacturing industries

This study examines the impact of industry structure on the foreign direct investment (FDI) entry mode decisions by multinational enterprises (MNEs) in manufacturing industries. We explore the notion that firms would seek to balance the risks due to industry structural barriers and liabilities of foreignness while seeking entry in international markets. A multinomial logistic regression model is used to test 336 entry decisions from 18 countries entering the United States over the period 1989–1994. Empirical evidence shows that underlying industries' structural characteristics influence a firm's preference for entry mode alternatives such as greenfield investments, acquisitions, and joint ventures. In concentrated and high-growth industries, foreign firms prefer entry by setting up greenfield operations rather than pursuing acquisitions or joint ventures. However, in industries characterized by high gross profits or higher plant scale, the preference is for joint ventures or acquisitions as an entry mode over greenfield operations.     

The language of power and authority in leadership

The purpose of this article is to provide insight into how leaders obtain their power through language use. The thesis defended is that, at its best, the language of power in leadership activates specific linguistic functions in prescribed ways. This thesis draws on three subordinate arguments. First, to the extent that leadership is a relationship resting on voluntary obedience, it is through a process of authorisation that leaders obtain their power. Second, the way language functions are instantiated in communication determines whether social interactions are authoritative or authoritarian. The view advanced is that noble language characterises the former, base language the latter. Third and consequently, the power of leaders develops from their use of noble language. Contrasting examples illuminate this article's thesis. An agenda for leadership research and education is then outlined.     

在线技术转移平台的供需匹配效率分析

随着互联网技术和应用的发展，越来越多的技术转移平台与互联网结合起来。由于线上技术转移平台的技术转移效率会影响科技成果转化的结果，使之成为学者和业界人士越来越关注的研究问题。 从网络平台的特点出发，选取技术供需文本匹配为指标，分析在线技术转移平台的效率问题。运用文本表示模型和相似度计算模型，以2013年至2015年中国技术交易信息服务平台的技术供需文本为样本，计算并评价技术供需文本匹配和语言差异。 研究结果表明，网络平台的供需文本匹配度较低，技术供需双方存在显著的语言差异，且语言差异与供需文本匹配存在显著的负相关关系。进一步分析显示，技术需求文本是造成供需语言差异的主要原因，大量的非技术信息削弱了文本内容的有效性。为提升在线技术转移平台效率，提出技术供需文本自动提纯和供需自动匹配优化方案，能够显著提升技术供需文本匹配的效率并降低语言差异。 研究结果为评价在线技术转移平台的效率提供了新的视角，有助于提升在线技术转移平台的转移效率，从而促进科技成果的转化。研究提出的优化方案对平台网站的管理实践有一定借鉴意义。     

Distances in Organizations: Innovation in an R&D Lab

The distance between actors in an organization affects how they interact with each other, and particularly whether they will exchange (innovative) knowledge with each other. Actors in each other's proximity have fewer conflicts, more trust towards each other, for example, and are thus more involved in knowledge transfer. Actors close to others thus are believed to perform better: by being more innovative, for instance. This theory of propinquity's claim resonates widely in the literature and has intuitive appeal: ‘people are most likely to be attracted towards those in closest contact with them’ (Newcomb, Th. (1956). American Psychologist, 11, p. 575). Knowledge that a focal actor receives from alters who are close is more readily accessed, better understood and more readily useable. At the same time, however, and in contrast to the what the theory of propinquity suggests, knowledge that a focal actor receives from alters who are at a greater distance may be more diverse, offer unexpected and valuable insights, and therefore give rise to innovation. In order to understand these opposing expectations, scholars have indicated that distance must be conceived of as multifaceted: individuals can be close to each other in one way, while at the same time distant in another. No prior paper has extensively studied the effects of distance as a multifaceted concept, however. This study offers two distinct contributions. It argues, first, why some instances of distance affect the opportunity to interact with alters, potentially lowering an actor's performance, while other instances of distance affect the expected benefits from interaction. The latter would increase an actor's performance. Secondly, this paper is the first study to test empirically the expectations about how seven different measures of distance affect an actor's innovative performance. Innovative performance is measured as both creative contribution and contribution to knowledge that has immediate commercial use (patents). In the setting of a large research lab, it is found, contrary to expectations, that distance does not hurt individual innovative performance and sometimes helps it in unexpected ways.     

基于张量分析的知识度规与信息流关系模型

利用张量分析研究技术创新网络中企业知识特征与其信息流之间的数量关系.知识时空被定义为具有结构特征的局部(全局)信息场.在知识时空中引入知识能量概念,分析在不同标架下知识能量的变化规律;应用知识时空度规分析在知识分别作为矢量与能量时,技术创新网络知识时空结构特征发生转移的数量特征.研究表明:企业知识结构的多样性是创新网络存在的前提条件,可以用对应的知识时空曲率来刻度企业知识多样性特征;企业对转移知识与对方企业知识之间的结构关系的认识程度越高、转移知识自身度规越大,都能促使知识转移过程中的信息流动,而企业知识结构在转移知识领域的差别越大,企业之间的信息流动就越困难。     

基于犹豫直觉模糊语言集均值-标准差偏好距离的多属性决策研究

在犹豫直觉模糊语言集和语言尺度函数的基础上定义了均值-标准差偏好的Hamming距离，并提出了基于犹豫直觉模糊语言集距离TOPSIS和TODIM的多属性决策方法，进一步利用这两种方法对实例问题建筑商的招标方案进行排序，并讨论了偏好参数对排序结果的灵敏度分析。为验证上述方法的有效性，与已有方法对同一实例的排序结果进行了比较分析。