Journal Screenshot

International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences

Open Access Journal

ISSN: 2222-6990

Positioning Knowledge Transfer within MNC Subsidiary through Episodes Development

Jamsari Alias, Norazila Mat

http://dx.doi.org/10.6007/IJARBSS/v13-i10/18849

Open access

With the increasing number of multinational corporations (MNCs), there has been an increased need to understand how parent companies manage the operations of their subsidiaries and transfer knowledge to them. Japanese companies have been pioneers in this field, employing methods such as the Toyota Production System (TPS) to impart Japanese manufacturing philosophy and maintain quality and control in overseas operations. The process of transferring Japanese manufacturing capabilities has gotten a lot of attention, but little is known about how the subsidiaries that are expected to use these procedures actually acquire and incorporate them into their operations. This article examines the transfer of manufacturing knowledge from the parent company to the subsidiary from their perspective. An in-depth qualitative investigation was thus undertaken in the subsidiary of a Japanese multinational, comprising three key manufacturing initiatives (or philosophies), namely 'TPS,' 'TPM,' and 'TS'. 52 in-depth interviews with project members, moderate-participant observations, and documentations were used to collect case data. This study increases our understanding of knowledge transfer by utilizing the methods used within the subsidiary, how the entire process is formed, and, most crucially, the use and development of episodes in snapshots in comprehending the process.

Alavi, M., and Leidner, D. (2001). Knowledge management and knowledge management systems: Conceptual foundations and research issues. MIS Quarterly 25(1), pp 107-136.
Alias, J. (2013). Transferring Knowledge of Manufacturing Techniques within a Subsidiary of a Multinational Corporation. PhD thesis, Aston Business School, Aston University, United Kingdom.
Alias, J., Bennett, D. J., and Hall, M. (2008a). Transferring Knowledge of Manufacturing Techniques in Multinational Corporations: Preliminary Findings, in Jolly D (Ed) Proceedings of 3rd European Conference on Management of Technology, CERAM/IAMOT, Nice, France, ISBN 0-9815817-1-4 (CD).
Alias, J., Bennett, D. J., and Hall, M. (2008b). Transferring Knowledge of Manufacturing Techniques in Multi-National Corporations: A Review of the Literature, in Harorimana D and Watkins D (Eds) Proceedings of 9th European Conference on Knowledge Management, Academic Publishing International, Reading, UK, ISBN: 978-1-906638-11-5 (pp 11-18).
Alias, J. (2008c). Knowledge Transfer in Different Knowledge Flows of Projects: Towards a Contingency Approach, in International Technology, Education and Development Conferences, INTED2008 Proceedings; Valencia, Spain, ISBN: 978-84-612-0190-7
Alias, J., Mat, N., Muslim, N., Abdullah, N. A., & Senik, R. (2020). Innovation as a New Mode of Knowledge Transfer within MNC Subsidiary. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Science, 10(11), pp1049–1067.
Alias, J., & Mat, N. (2022). Understanding Knowledge Transfer Within Mnc Subsidiary Through Episodes. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 12(10), pp1500-1514.
Argote, L. and Ingram, P. (2000). Knowledge transfer: A basis for competitive advantage in firms, Organisational Behaviour and Human Decision Processes 82(1), pp150-169.
Bender, S. and Fish, A. (2000). The transfer of knowledge and the retention of expertise: the continuing need for global assignments, Journal of Knowledge Management 4(2), pp125-137.
Bennett, D. (1986). Production Systems Design. London: Butterworths Ltd.
Birkinshaw, J. (1996). How multinational subsidiary mandates are gained and lost. Journal of International Business Studies 27(3), pp 467-495.
Blackler, F. (1995). Knowledge, knowledge work and organisations: An overview and interpretation. Organisation Studies 16(6), pp 1021-1046.
Boyatzis, R. E (1998). Transforming Qualitative Information: Thematic Analysis and Code Development. London: Sage Publications.
Broner, N., Franczak, M., Dye, C. and McAllister, W. (2001). Knowledge transfer, policymaking and community empowerment: A consensus model approach for providing public mental health and substance abuse services, Psychiatric Quarterly 72(1), pp 79-102.
Chini, T., (2005). Effective Knowledge Transfer in Multinational Corporations. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
Crabtree, B., and Miller, W. (1999) A template approach to text analysis: Developing and using codebooks, in Crabtree, B. and Miller, W. (Eds.), Doing Qualitative Research, Newbury Park, CA: Sage, pp 163-177.
Davenport, T. H., and Prusak L. (1998). Working Knowledge: How Organisations Manage What They Know. Boston: Harvard Business School Press.
Davenport, T. H., De Long, K. M., and Beers, K.C. (1998). Successful knowledge management projects, Sloan Management Review 39(2), pp 43-57.
Edwards, J. S., Shaw, D., and Collier, P. M. (2005). Knowledge management systems: Finding a way with technology, Journal of Knowledge Management 9(1), pp 113-125.
Eisenhardt, K. M. (1989). Building theories from case study research, Academy of Management Review 14(1), pp 532-550.
Eisenhardt, K. M. and Santos, F. M. (2002). Knowledge based view: A new theory of strategy in Pettigrew, A. M., Thomas, A. and Whittington, R. (Eds), Handbook of Strategy and Management, London, Sage, pp 139-164.
Ghoshal, S. and Bartlett, C. A.. (1988). Creation, adoption and diffusion of innovations by subsidiaries of multinational corporations, Journal of International Business Studies 19(3), pp 365-388.
Gupta, A. K and Govindarajan, V. (1991). Knowledge flows and the structure of control within multinational corporations, Academy of Management Review 16 (4), pp. 768-792.
Gupta, A. K and Govindarajan, V. (2000). Knowledge flows within multinational corporations, Strategic Management Journal 21(4), pp 473-496.
Hall, M. (2006). Knowledge management and the limits of knowledge codification, Journal of Knowledge Management 10(3), pp 117-126.
Jashapara, A. (2004) .Knowledge Management: An Integrated Approach. Prentice-Hall
Kenney, M., and Florida, R. (1995). The transfer of japanese management styles in two US transplant industries: autos and electronics, Journal of Management Studies 32(6), pp 789-802.
Kogut, B and Zander, U. (1995). Knowledge, market failure and the multinational enterprise: A reply. Journal of International Business Studies 26(2), p417.
Koskinen, K. U. (2003). Evaluation of Tacit Knowledge Utilization in Work Units. Journal of Knowledge Management, 7(5), pp 67-81.
Kostova, T. (1999). Transnational transfer of strategic organisational practices: A contextual perspective, Academy of Management Review 24 (2), pp 308-324.
Minbaeva, D. B. and Michailova, S. (2004). Knowledge transfer and expatriation in multinational corporations, Employee Relations 26(6), pp 663-679.
Nonaka, I. and Takeuchi, H. (1995). The Knowledge-Creating Company. Oxford University Press.
Oliver, N., Delbridge, R. and Lowe, J. (1998). Japanisation on the Shopfloor, Employee Relations 20(3), pp 248-260.
Polanyi, M. (1998). Personal Knowledge: Towards a Post-Critical Philosophy. London, Routledge
Schlegelmilch, B. B. and Chini, T. C. (2003). Knowledge transfer between marketing functions in multinational companies: a conceptual model, International Business Review, 12(2), pp 215-232..
Strauss, A. and Corbin, J. (1998). Basic of Qualitative Research: Technique and procedures for developing Grounded Theory Thousand Oaks, CA, Sage Publication.
Szulanski, G, (2000). The process of knowledge transfer: A diachronic analysis of stickiness, Organisational Behaviour and Human Decision Processes 82(1), pp 9-27.
Szulanski, G. (1996). Exploring internal stickiness: Impediments to the transfer of best practice within the firm, Strategic Management Journal 17: 27-43.
Szulanski, G., Winter, S.G., Cappetta, R., Vanden, C. (2002). Opening the Black box of Knowledge Transfer: the role of replication accuracy, Wharton.
Williams, J. (2002). Practical issues in knowledge management, IT Professional 4(1), pp 35-39.
Yin, R. K (1984). Case study research: design and methods, Sage Publications.
Yin, R. K.(1994). Case Study Research: Design and Methods (2nd ed). California: Sage Publication.

(Alias & Mat, 2023)
Alias, J., & Mat, N. (2023). Positioning Knowledge Transfer within MNC Subsidiary through Episodes Development. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 13(10), 520–531.