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.     

风险态度不对称下的企业间知识转移研究

知识发送方的风险态度会影响知识流失风险普遍存在的企业间知识转移。为了防控企业间知识转移中的知识流失,考虑知识发送方的风险态度为私有信息,当知识发送方公布虚假风险态度类型,或者知识接收方不相信其公布信息的行为被发现时均会遭受诚信惩罚。利用演化博弈论分析了知识发送方风险态度披露策略和知识接收方信息处理策略的演化均衡,以及其对知识转移的影响,找出了既能最大化双方总收益又能避免知识流失的最佳演化均衡,探讨了实现该均衡的方法,并用算例对结论加以说明。研究表明：知识发送方应结合自身风险态度设置诚信惩罚;诚信惩罚足够大时,一定能实现最佳演化均衡;否则,仅风险厌恶方可能通过增大诚信惩罚,或者选择对其诚信惩罚较大的知识接收方,实现最佳演化均衡。上述结论为企业应如何防控知识转移中的知识流失提供了参考,丰富了企业间知识转移的相关研究成果。     

Knowledge transfer practices in multinational corporations in China's information technology industry

Abstract

The goals of this study were to explore existing practices used to facilitate knowledge transfer in MNCs in the information technology industry in China, and to investigate the frequency of use and the influence of each practice on knowledge transfer. In addition, this study examined which types of knowledge could be transferred by a given practice. The study used a two-stage method that included two surveys. The first survey was designed to develop an inclusive list of knowledge transfer practices. Thirty-three practices were identified in the first survey. The second survey found: 1) the frequency of use and the influence on knowledge transfer varied from one practice to another; 2) MNCs frequently used those practices with higher influence on knowledge transfer; 3) certain practices are better suited in transferring certain types of knowledge.     

控制,吸收能力与知识转移——基于离岸IT服务外包业的实证研究

离岸IT服务外包是一个知识密集过程,从海外客户到国内供应商的有效知识转移是成功的关键。然而,针对客户的不同控制模式和供应商的吸收能力对显性和隐性知识转移的不同影响,以及这两种知识转移对绩效影响的实证研究还极其有限。本文基于一项问卷调查,发现客户的正式控制对显性知识转移的影响比非正式控制的作用更强。隐性知识转移比显性知识转移更依赖于供应商的吸收能力,显性知识转移对隐性知识转移有积极促进作用。研究还显示,正式控制对离岸IT服务外包绩效有直接影响,但知识转移对外包绩效的影响并不显著。     

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。     

Improving operational performance through knowledge exchange with customers

Drawing upon a knowledge-based view of the supply chain, this study analyses the antecedents and consequences of tacit and explicit knowledge transfer, from the supplier's standpoint. The proposed conceptual model is tested using survey data from a sample of 218 Canadian manufacturers. Results show that the exchange of tacit and explicit knowledge in the context of a relationship between a supplier and a customer has a positive impact on the supplier's operational performance. As expected, tacit knowledge exchange appears to have a stronger impact on performance than explicit knowledge exchange. Results also confirm the importance of the level of integration and inter-firm trust for the exchange of both types of knowledge. Although many studies of knowledge transfer in the supply chain have been published to date, no empirical study has specifically examined the simultaneous effect of both types of knowledge.     

Can a Previous Alliance Between an Acquirer and a Target Affect Acquisition Performance?

Throughout the 1990s, organizations have been combining resources through acquisitions and alliances in record numbers. An acquirer’s previous alliance with a target may give an acquirer target-specific information and experience that may be an advantage-producing resource in selection, valuation and integration of the target. This study investigates whether a previous alliance between an acquirer and a target affects post-acquisition performance and finds that a previous alliance between an acquirer and a target correlates positively with acquisition performance. Acquirers’ previous R&D, technology transfer, manufacturing and marketing alliances with targets benefit acquisition performance more than their previous licensing alliances with targets. Furthermore, target-specific learning effects are strongest and most beneficial to acquisition performance in acquirers’ previous technology transfer and manufacturing alliances with targets.     

企业研发团队内部技术知识转移的过程机理与途径研究

在有关知识转移过程机制的国内外研究基础上,着重从团队层面揭示了企业研发团队内部技术知识转移的一般过程和内在机理,进而借用NONAKA等的模型思想,设计了研发团队内部技术知识转移的途径框架,解析知识转移的具体途径和方式,从研发团队内部技术知识转移视角为我国企业自主性技术创新绩效提升提供了几点思路。     

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。     

Management consultancy’s role in delivering lasting [triple bottom line] benefits

Abstract

Management consultants have become ubiquitous in helping improve organizational performance. This paper presents an investigation of the impact of their interventions on organizational sustainability and growth through the performance improvement work carried out for and with their clients. The paper presents the findings of a questionnaire survey of 440 respondents from 206 countries; 197 of respondents were Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) and 243 from large organizations. There is a particular focus on knowledge transfer in terms of urgency and impact of the work with regard to the extent to which consulting interventions in SMEs, as well as large multinational corporations, embed long-term sustainability practices.     

Flexible manufacturing systems performance in U.S. automotive manufacturing plants: a case study

Flexible manufacturing systems (FMS) philosophy is a key weapon in achieving global manufacturing competitiveness. It encompasses a wide range of dimensions to improve all aspects of operational performance metrics. The aim of the study is to examine the current state of flexibility adoption in U.S. automotive manufacturing facilities and its impact on operational performance metrics. It utilizes survey questionnaire developed based on previous work in U.S. manufacturing industry. The survey was originally distributed to 420 facility managers in the U.S. domestic automotive industry. It was revealed that 70% of the respondents had implemented all 15 flexibility dimensions listed in the questionnaire. The data analysis conducted shows that implementation of certain flexibility dimensions will lead to significant improvement in specific operational performance metrics. This considerable finding can be used as a guide for manufacturing managers to achieve certain objectives in operational performance improvement in a rapidly changing environment.     

知识转移绩效影响因素的实证研究——以软件行业为例

在总结国内外已有相关文献的基础上,结合"物理-事理-人理(W-S-R)"系统方法论,对以往学者提出的知识转移的阻碍因素和解决方法进行了归纳,提出并建立了针对组织内部知识转移绩效的影响因素的研究模型.通过向国内软件企业发放问卷的方式对该模型进行了实证研究,在对问卷数据充分分析后,得出了现实中影响我国软件企业知识转移绩效的关键因素和其他一些新颖的结论.     

软件外包项目复杂性下的交互记忆系统与知识转移

针对软件外包项目团队中如何有效知识转移问题,构建交互记忆系统、项目复杂性和知识转移绩效之间关系的概念模型,基于25家软件外包承接企业中107个软件外包团队的问卷调查数据,运用偏最小二乘法对数据进行分析。研究结果表明,专长度和可信度对团队知识转移绩效和协调度有显著的正向影响,软件外包项目结构复杂性对专长度与知识转移绩效的关系有显著的正向调节作用,软件外包项目动态复杂性对专长度与知识转移绩效的关系有显著的负向调节作用。研究结果揭示了项目复杂性条件下交互记忆系统与知识转移绩效之间的作用机理,推进了软件外包知识转移理论发展,并为软件外包团队有效地进行知识转移提供管理启示。     

Navigating challenging contexts: Costs and benefits of codified acquisition experience

Despite its intuitive appeal, acquisition experience has not shown a clear benefit to acquirers, and we argue the applicability of acquisition experience depends on goals and context. Using survey data, we consider the effects of applying codified experience for two common acquisition goals involving knowledge transfer and market expansion. Our findings reveal a ‘double-edged sword’ effect, where on one hand, codification mitigates negative effects of industry rivalry on knowledge transfer. However, on the other hand, codification amplifies negative effects of industry rivalry on market expansion and internal turmoil on knowledge transfer. Beyond demonstrating the importance of goals and context contingencies for determining acquisition experience effect, our results reconcile conflicting research findings to identify when codified experience is beneficial in acquisitions.     

我国企业知识型员工知识转移的影响因素实证研究

本文在我国企业428名知识型员工问卷调查的基础上,首先用因素分析的方法,证实了我国企业知识型员工的知识转移动机包括:兴趣动机、个人成就感、个人利益和组织情感四个维度;然后,利用结构方程模型对影响知识转移的主要因素及其效应进行了分析.研究结果对我国企业促进内部知识转移的制度设计有一定的参考价值.     

中介机构参与下联盟企业知识转移的三方利益博弈分析

知识转移是企业保存知识、提升创新能力的重要途径,中介机构在转移过程中发挥了重要作用。本文以联盟企业间知识转移为研究对象,考虑了企业的不同心理压力,首先建立了联盟企业双方的讨价还价博弈模型;其次构建了考虑中介机构参与知识转移的博弈模型,分析和讨论三方收益变化的影响因素及策略选择。结果表明,在直接知识转移博弈中,转移主体的收益大小与自身的心理压力呈负相关,而与对方的心理压力呈正相关,同等心理压力下知识转出方占优;中介机构参与博弈情形下,中介机构作为协作角色的博弈收益仅受博弈双方心理压力影响,且与知识接收方协作可获得更大收益,而主导角色博弈情形下收益受到三方主体心理压力的综合影响,并在主导知识接收博弈时获得收益更大;中介机构的角色选择与知识转出方心理压力变化相关性不明显,主要受到知识接收方及自身心理压力影响。     

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.     

How to reduce carbon emissions of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) by knowledge sharing in China

Abstract

Small and medium-sized enterprises are important components of the economy worldwide, and they are considered to be responsible for a large part of carbon emissions. However, because of the limitations in resource, knowledge and technical capabilities, most SMEs are confronting environmental issues such as the negative spillovers. The policy costs of an administrative order that is effective to promote emission reductions of large enterprises in China’s current economy could be high, and therefore, it is essential and crucial to establish a market-driven mechanism to help and encourage SMEs to make environmental improvement regarding the cap-and-trade system. In this context, new patterns of emission reduction would have profound impacts on knowledge management (KM) of SMEs, especially on knowledge sharing and knowledge transfer. In this paper, we adopt a micro-model to study the behaviors and carbon emissions of SMEs under different scenarios. We find that both trading and sharing of knowledge on carbon emission reduction are conducive to reducing emissions of SMEs in the context of cap-and-trade. Besides, the more the compensation is granted, the more manufacturing firms are willing to share knowledge with partners who have complementary knowledge. Subsidies or rewards on knowledge sharing can be helpful to reduce carbon emission, which may have important implications for public policy to solve the problem of carbon emission reduction of SMEs.     

我国知识型员工知识转移的动机实证研究

本文在对上海、北京、广州等地区10余家知名高科技企业的428名知识型员工问卷调查的基础上,分别用SPSS11.0、LISREL8.2统计软件进行探索性因素分析和验证性因素分析,证明我国企业知识型员工知识转移的动机包括:个人利益、兴趣动机、个人成就感和组织情感四维度结构,最后,通过相关回归,将以上四维动机对知识转移行为的影响力进行了分析,对我国企业内部知识转移激励机制的设计有一定的参考价值.     

A systematic review of research into the management of manufacturing capabilities

Abstract

Our study aims to explore the past and present knowledge related to the management of manufacturing capabilities and to assess the extent to which our knowledge of this field has developed. It places specific emphasis on the philosophical foundations of the field, while also providing a set of directions for future research. A systematic review is applied, covering 104 articles. The authors unfold a strong dominance of the positivist paradigm and call for a more balanced and informed approach in philosophical and, more specifically, methodological selection by scholars. In terms of the research content, a strong bias exists towards measuring the impact that certain manufacturing capabilities and various configurations of these may have on key performance indicators, such as cost. Our review warns on the dangers of following a dominant paradigmatic stance and on the limitations of researching a limited area of the complex and dynamic manufacturing capabilities arena.