Adopting a microfoundations approach to the analysis of intra-multinational enterprise (MNE) knowledge integration, we focus on mobile inventors and their boundary-spanning experience. Using inventor-patent data on US-based MNEs, we show that intra-organizational cross-border mobility and inter-organizational mobility have respectively a positive and a negative effect on knowledge integration. Cross-border mobility within the MNE enables the temporary co-location of mobile inventors in different units, facilitating the dissemination of their knowledge within the MNE. Conversely, “job-hopping” inventors may remain organizational outsiders, which hinders their ability to foster intra-MNE knowledge integration.

采用微观基础方法来分析跨国企业 (MNE) 内部知识整合，我们专注于移动发明者及其跨越边界的经验。使用美国跨国公司的发明人专利数据，我们表明组织内跨境流动和组织间流动分别对知识整合有积极和消极的影响。跨国公司内的跨境流动使不同单位的流动发明人能够临时共处一地，促进他们在跨国公司内的知识传播。相反，“跳槽”的发明者可能仍然是组织的局外人，这阻碍了他们促进跨国公司内部知识整合的能力。