Multinationals and Cross-Cultural Management: The Transfer of Knowledge within Multinational Corporations

by Haghirian; Parissa

• ISBN13: 9780415449311
• ISBN10: 0415449316
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2010-12-21
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

This book examines cross-cultural management within multinational enterprises (MNEs), focusing in particular on how cultural differences influence the transfer of knowledge between different units within individual corporations. Based on detailed empirical analysis of 267 companies in Germany and Japan, it considers the relative effectiveness of inter-cultural and intra-cultural knowledge transfer, identifies the factors that inhibit or facilitate successful knowledge transfer, and suggests how management processes of MNEs can be improved. It demonstrates that although cultural differences do not necessarily influence the selection and transmission of knowledge overseas, they do have a strong impact on how that knowledge is received, integrated and put into practice locally. It argues that efficient cross-cultural management depends largely on the cultural background, intercultural experiences, language skills and personal opinions of individual employees, which determines whether information and ideasdeveloped in one part of a company can be applied effectively elsewhere. It suggests that to improve cross-cultural management MNEs should focus less on expanding the technology that allows knowledge transfer, and more on the capabilities and beliefs of individual employees.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction 2. Dimensions of Knowledge 3. Knowledge Management in Multinational Enterprises 4. Knowledge Transfer: The Socio-Cultural Dimension 5. Research Methodology and Design 6. Knowledge Transfer Processes between German and Japanese MNEs 7. Influence Factors on Knowledge Transfer Processes 8. Conclusions - Towards Effective Knowledge Transfer in MNEs