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Knowledge sourcing by the multinational enterprise: An individual creativity-based model

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Abstract

We examine how individual heterogeneity can be managed across geographically dispersed units of the multinational enterprise (MNE) to facilitate effective knowledge sourcing. To explore individual heterogeneity, we adopt the componential theory of creativity, which links heterogeneous features of individuals to creativity performance. We propose that these features shape individuals’ responses to unit-level practices, stimulating international knowledge sourcing and sharing. We further acknowledge that MNE units are subject to the pressures for global integration and local adaptation. Individuals’ responses to unit-level knowledge transfer practices may be inconsistent with one or both of these pressures. We explore, in a nuanced fashion, conditions that can lead to such inconsistencies, and investigate how they can be resolved at the unit level to ensure effective knowledge sourcing by the MNE. Ultimately, our model challenges the assumption that individual knowledge-related efforts automatically accrue to the MNE level. We argue that effective knowledge sourcing by the MNE is the result of successful unit-level processes in managing individual heterogeneity and ensuring consistency with global integration and local adaptation pressures. Our multi-level model contributes to both the MNE- and individual-level perspective on international knowledge sourcing, and the growing microfoundations research on the role of the individual in an MNE.

Résumé

Nous examinons comment l'hétérogénéité individuelle peut être gérée à travers les unités géographiquement dispersées de l'entreprise multinationale (MNE - Multinational Enterprise), pour faciliter l'approvisionnement efficace des connaissances. Dans le but d’explorer l'hétérogénéité individuelle, nous nous appuyons sur la théorie componentielle de la créativité, laquelle relie les caractéristiques hétérogènes des individus à la performance de créativité. Nous proposons que ces caractéristiques façonnent les réponses des individus aux pratiques de l’unité destinées à stimuler l’approvisionnement et le partage internationaux des connaissances. Nous reconnaissons en outre que les unités des MNE sont sujettes aux pressions d’intégration globale et d’adaptation locale. Les réponses des individus aux pratiques de transfert des connaissances au niveau de l’unité peuvent être incohérentes avec l’une de ces pressions ou les deux. Nous explorons, de manière nuancée, les conditions qui peuvent conduire à de telles incohérences, et étudions comment ces dernières peuvent être résolues au niveau de l'unité pour assurer un approvisionnement efficace des connaissances par la MNE. En fin de compte, notre modèle remet en question la supposition selon laquelle les efforts individuels liés aux connaissances s’intègrent automatiquement au niveau de la MNE. Nous argumentons que l'approvisionnement efficace des connaissances par la MNE est le résultat des processus réussis au niveau de l'unité destinés à gérer l'hétérogénéité individuelle et à assurer la cohérence avec les pressions d’intégration globale et d’adaptation locales. Notre modèle multi-niveaux contribue à la perspective de l’approvisionnement international des connaissances aux niveaux de l’individu et de la MNE, ainsi qu’à la recherche croissante de micro-fondations portée sur le rôle de l'individu dans une MNE.

Resumen

Examinamos cómo la heterogeneidad puede ser manejada entre unidades de la empresa multinacional (MNE por sus iniciales en ingles) dispersadas geográficamente para facilitar el aprovisionamiento efectivo de conocimiento. Para explorar la heterogeneidad individual, adoptamos la teoría componencial de la creatividad, la cual conecta las características heterogéneas de los individuos con el desempeño e la creatividad. Proponemos que estas características dan forma a las respuestas de los individuos a las prácticas a nivel de unidad estimulando el aprovisionamiento y el intercambio de conocimiento internacional. Además, reconocemos que las unidades de las empresas multinacionales están sometidas a las presiones para la integración global y la adaptación local. Las respuestas de los individuos al conocimiento a nivel de la unidad transfieren practicas que pueden ser inconsistentes con una o ambas de estas presiones. Exploramos de forma matizadas, las condiciones que pueden llevar a estas inconsistencias e investigamos cómo estás pueden ser resueltas al nivel de la unidad para asegurar aprovisionamiento efectivo de conocimiento por parte de la empresa multinacional. En última instancia, nuestro modelo desafía la suposición que los esfuerzos individuales por aprovisionarse de conocimiento se acumulan automáticamente a nivel de la empresa multinacional. Sostenemos que el aprovisionamiento efectivo de conocimiento por parte de la empresa multinacional es el resultado de procesos exitosos a nivel de la unidad en gestionar la heterogeneidad de los individuos y en asegurar consistencia con las presiones por integración global y adaptación local. Nuestro modelo multinivel contribuye tanto a las perspectivas de las empresas multinacionales como a nivel del individuo sobre el aprovisionamiento de conocimiento internacionales, así como la investigación creciente sobre los microfundamentos sobre el papel de los individuos en una empresa multinacional.

Resumo

Examinamos como heterogeneidade individual pode ser gerenciada em unidades geograficamente dispersas da empresa multinacional (MNE) para facilitar a eficaz obtenção de conhecimento. Para explorar heterogeneidade individual, adotamos a teoria componencial da criatividade, que vincula características heterogêneas de indivíduos ao desempenho criativo. Propomos que essas características moldem respostas de indivíduos a práticas de nível de unidade, estimulando a aquisição e compartilhamento de conhecimento internacional. Reconhecemos ainda que unidades de MNE estão sujeitas às pressões para integração global e adaptação local. Respostas de indivíduos a práticas de transferência de conhecimento em nível de unidade podem ser inconsistentes com uma ou ambas as pressões. Exploramos de maneira matizada condições que podem levar a tais inconsistências e investigamos como elas podem ser resolvidas no nível da unidade para assegurar a eficaz obtenção de conhecimento pela MNE. Em última análise, nosso modelo desafia a suposição de que esforços individuais relacionados ao conhecimento automaticamente se acumulem no nível da MNE. Argumentamos que a eficaz obtenção de conhecimento da MNE é o resultado de processos bem-sucedidos em nível de unidade no gerenciamento da heterogeneidade individual e na garantia de consistência com pressões de integração global e adaptação local. Nosso modelo multinível contribui tanto para as perspectivas da MNE quanto de nível individual sobre a obtenção de conhecimento internacional e a crescente pesquisa sobre microfundamentos do papel do indivíduo em uma MNE.

摘要

我们研究了个体异质性如何在跨国企业 (MNE) 的地理位置分散部门进行管理, 以促进有效的知识获取。 为了探索个体异质性, 我们采用了创造力的成分理论, 该理论将个体的异质性特征与创造力绩效联系起来。 我们提出, 这些特征塑造了个体对刺激国际知识获取和共享的部门层面实践的反应。 我们进一步认识到, MNE的部门受到全球整合和本地适应的压力。 个体对部门层面知识转移实践的反应可能与这些压力中的一个或两个不一致。 我们以细微的方式探索可能导致此类不一致性的条件, 并研究它们如何能在部门层面得以解决, 以确保MNE有效获取知识。 最终, 我们的模型挑战了与个人知识相关的努力自动累积到MNE层面的这一假设。 我们认为, MNE有效的知识获取是成功的部门层面管理个体异质性的过程和确保与全球整合和本地适应的压力保持一致的结果。 我们的多层模型对MNE和个体层面的国际知识获取观以及个体在MNE中的作用的不断发展的微观基础研究做出了贡献.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank the Acting Editor, Linea Kano, for insightful guidance during the review process, and four anonymous reviewers for constructive feedback and suggestions. They also acknowledge Dana Minbaeva for thoughtful comments on earlier versions of this article.

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Correspondence to Grazia D. Santangelo.

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Accepted by Liena Kano, Guest Editor, 9 April 2021. This article has been with the authors for six revisions.

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Santangelo, G.D., Phene, A. Knowledge sourcing by the multinational enterprise: An individual creativity-based model. J Int Bus Stud 53, 434–448 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1057/s41267-021-00444-z

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