Aim: to develop and understand which are the elements that influence the conventional and reversed knowledge transfer, how they influence it and the benefits of transferring knowledge within a multinational corporation. Methods: qualitative research strategy, inductive approach, and single case study design. Ten semi-structured interviews were conducted face-to-face and though video-calls. Four interviewees belong to Italian headquarters, three to the Canadian subsidiary and three to the US subsidiary. Results and conclusions: the research identifies culture, relationship HQ-subsidiary, geographical distance, expatriates, relationship between employees, language difference, trust, transparency, motivation, and technology as the elements influencing conventional and reversed knowledge transfer; the influences these elements exercise on them, and the benefits of knowledge transfer flows. Suggestions for further research: to replicate the qualitative study with a multi-case study design; to develop a deeper understanding on the relationship between the elements; and to deeper understand how knowledge transfer benefits can influence the MNC’s overall performance and subsidiaries’ performance. Contribution of the thesis: it contributes with in-depth understanding of the elements influencing conventional and reversed knowledge transfer, their benefits and a theoretical framework; highlights the importance of knowledge transfer for social development; and it provides an understanding of the benefits of knowledge transfer to achieve competitive advantage.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:UPSALLA1/oai:DiVA.org:hig-30156 |
| Date | January 2019 |
| Creators | Goisa, Melissa Maria Ines, Tayeh, Mohammed K.A. |
| Publisher | Högskolan i Gävle, Företagsekonomi, Högskolan i Gävle, Företagsekonomi |
| Source Sets | DiVA Archive at Upsalla University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Student thesis, info:eu-repo/semantics/bachelorThesis, text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Rights | info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess |
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