AIB 2012 Conference Proceedings - Academy of International ...

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In this paper, we investigate the evolution of MNC subsidiaries through development of innovation networks.
Literature on innovation networks has seen them to develop in several different settings. These networks,
during their evolution, span firm boundaries and geographic proximity. However, the evolution of innovation
networks within and outside MNC subsidiaries has not been investigated from the perspective of these two
dimensions: geographical and organizational distance. In order to find out a pattern, we chose the Information
Technology cluster in Bangalore, India, where we find there are MNC subsidiaries that operate and innovate
within and outside organizations, and have strong links with firms within and outside of Bangalore cluster. The
globalized nature of the cluster helps us infer the evolution of innovation networks that takes place across fourphases.
We further find that the innovation networks of these MNC subsidiaries first develop as withinorganization
networks and then extend across organizations. Within the first part, the networks start with a
non-local nature (phase-1) and develop into local networks (phase-2). However, within the latter part of the
evolution, networks develop from local (phase-3) towards a non-local nature (phase-4). (For more information,
please contact: Amit Karna, EBS Business School, Germany: amit.karna@ebs.edu)
A Study on the Key Factors for Successful Implementation of Knowledge Management Systems of Multinational
Corporations
Chia Chen Hsu, Ting Hisin International Group
Ying Sheng Yao , National Chi Nan University
Tsai Chiao Wang, National Chi Nan University
The purpose of this study was to explore the current status and development trend of knowledge management
system implementation in subsidiaries of multinational corporations in Taiwan and find out the key factors of
successful implementation by conducting factor analyses. In addition, important issues were prioritized, so that
managers can, with limited resources, effectively arrange their resources and schedules to increase chances of
successfully implementing knowledge management systems. The findings of this study include: 1.Subsidiaries
should be highly cooperative in knowledge management system transfers. 2.High-level managers should be
involved personally and support implementation. 3.A good IT foundation is required. 4.A taskforce should be
formed to step-by-step create all knowledge tools and define evaluation indexes. 5.The core of knowledge
management is employees. 6.Parent companies of multinational corporations should pay more attention to
accumulated knowledge resources in their subsidiaries. 7.Subsidiaries should speed up their processes of
implementing knowledge management systems. (For more information, please contact: Chia Chen Hsu, Ting
Hisin International Group, Taiwan: michelle_hsu@weichuan.com.tw)
A Behavioral View on Coopetition and Knowledge Sharing Dynamics in Multinational Corporations
Barbara Brenner, WU Wien
Shalini Rogbeer , WU Wien
Building on the unique bridging position of the Multinational Corporation (MNC) in accessing, sharing and
(re)combining globally scattered knowledge, we suggest that intra-organizational networks evolve in a dynamic
pattern of competition and cooperation depending on knowledge convergence. We use a case method to
identify different drivers of intra-organizational knowledge flows. Drawing on behavioral theory we analyze
under which conditions subsidiaries start and stop knowledge sharing and how convergence and coopetition
affects network evolution in MNCs. Understanding these internal mechanisms is not only important for theory
advancement but also has important practical managerial implications and allows us to gain novel insights into
the dynamics of network evolution. Furthermore, our findings have concrete managerial implications for MNC
managers acting on subsidiary coopetition and firm innovativeness. (For more information, please contact:
Barbara Brenner, WU Wien, Austria: barbara.brenner@wu.ac.at)
AIB 2012 Conference Proceedings
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