Purpose

This study aims to find how the turnover of host country nationals (HCNs) would be affected by the knowledge transfer from a headquarter to a subsidiary. Knowledge transfer in a multinational corporation (MNC) has been discussed as a critical factor in the MNC’s success. Because HCNs are essential to synergizing with a new knowledge inflow during this knowledge transfer process, their turnover entails negative consequences such as knowledge loss.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper empirically tests the unbalance between knowledge received (KR) and absorptive capacity (AC) as the most critical organizational predictor by using the secondary longitudinal records and survey data of 4,915 employees. Multilevel survival analysis is used to calculate the individuals’ turnover hazard.

Findings

While finding that the primary effect of transferred knowledge is to reduce turnover, the study demonstrates the unbalance between a subsidiary’s AC and KR increases the likelihood of HCNs’ turnover within the organization. The authors also recognize the possibility of nonlinear trends of KR and AC on the turnover hazard.

Originality/value

The authors answer how knowledge transfer shapes a subsidiary’s work environment to prevent or increase turnover, which has been barely examined for HCNs who comprise the crucial demographic group in knowledge transfer. To enhance the originality further, this study empirically observes the actual turnover of HCNs with a conceptually comprehensive view incorporating both learning and political approaches.

中文翻译：

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内向知识转移和吸收能力对跨国公司子公司东道国国民营业额的影响：多层次建模方法

目的

本研究旨在找出东道国国民 (HCN) 的营业额将如何受到从总部到子公司的知识转移的影响。跨国公司 (MNC) 中的知识转移被认为是跨国公司成功的关键因素。由于 HCN 在知识转移过程中与新知识流入的协同作用至关重要，因此它们的更替会带来负面后果，例如知识损失。

设计/方法/方法

本文通过使用 4,915 名员工的二次纵向记录和调查数据，实证检验了作为最关键的组织预测指标的知识接收 (KR) 和吸收能力 (AC) 之间的不平衡。多级生存分析用于计算个人的离职风险。

发现

虽然发现知识转移的主要影响是减少人员流动，但研究表明子公司的 AC 和 KR 之间的不平衡增加了 HCN 在组织内流动的可能性。作者还认识到 KR 和 AC 对离职风险的非线性趋势的可能性。

原创性/价值

作者回答了知识转移如何塑造子公司的工作环境以防止或增加人员流动，这几乎没有针对构成知识转移关键人口群体的 HCN 进行过检查。为了进一步提高独创性，本研究通过结合学习和政治方法的概念综合观点，凭经验观察 HCN 的实际更替情况。