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Determinants of the feedback-seeking behaviour of subsidiary top managers in multinational corporations

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  • Barner-Rasmussen, Wilhelm

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to explore potential determinants of the feedback-seeking behaviour (FSB) of subsidiary top managers in multinational corporations (MNCs). The main contribution of the study is that the linkage between FSB and intra-MNC interaction traced in previous studies is complemented with several other determinants. Among these, trust and economic incentives stand out as particularly important. These findings, based on quantitative data from 89 Finnish subsidiaries of foreign MNCs, add to our understanding of individual managerial behaviour in MNCs and have important implications for both scholars and practitioners interested in issues of intra-MNC control, coordination, and knowledge sharing. At the same time, the findings clearly illustrate that FSB is a complex phenomenon with a broad range of determinants, something which should be taken into account in future studies of the topic.

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  • Barner-Rasmussen, Wilhelm, 2003. "Determinants of the feedback-seeking behaviour of subsidiary top managers in multinational corporations," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 12(1), pages 41-60, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:iburev:v:12:y:2003:i:1:p:41-60
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    Cited by:

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    2. Dirk Holtbrügge & Alex T. Mohr, 2011. "Subsidiary Interdependencies and International Human Resource Management Practices in German MNCs," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 51(1), pages 93-115, February.
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    4. Klaus E. Meyer & Chengguang Li & Andreas P. J. Schotter, 2020. "Managing the MNE subsidiary: Advancing a multi-level and dynamic research agenda," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 51(4), pages 538-576, June.
    5. Klaus E. Meyer & Chengguang Li & Andreas P. J. Schotter, 0. "Managing the MNE subsidiary: Advancing a multi-level and dynamic research agenda," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 0, pages 1-39.
    6. Paul Gooderham & Dana B. Minbaeva & Torben Pedersen, 2011. "Governance Mechanisms for the Promotion of Social Capital for Knowledge Transfer in Multinational Corporations," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 48(1), pages 123-150, January.
    7. Zeng, Rong & Grøgaard, Birgitte & Steel, Piers, 2018. "Complements or substitutes? A meta-analysis of the role of integration mechanisms for knowledge transfer in the MNE network," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 53(4), pages 415-432.
    8. Maimunah Ismail, 2015. "Conceptualizing knowledge transfer between expatriates and host country nationals: The mediating effect of social capital," Cogent Business & Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 2(1), pages 1101803-110, December.
    9. Vlajčić, Davor & Caputo, Andrea & Marzi, Giacomo & Dabić, Marina, 2019. "Expatriates managers’ cultural intelligence as promoter of knowledge transfer in multinational companies," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 94(C), pages 367-377.

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