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Coordinating knowledge transfer: Global managers as higher-level intermediaries

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  • Patriotta, Gerardo
  • Castellano, Anna
  • Wright, Mike

Abstract

In their day-to-day work, global managers exchange knowledge with individuals and teams scattered across the organizational network in order to make progress on current projects. Drawing on a case study of a global organization, we show that a core challenge of managerial work is associated with coordinating knowledge that is spatially dispersed and temporally fragmented. To address this challenge, we discuss the notion of ‘higher-level intermediary’ as a managerial role that provides coordination across functional and geographical boundaries by making knowledge sources available, connecting the parties to the transfer, and generating opportunities for knowledge exchange. These higher-level intermediaries act as ‘ambidextrous ties’ able to connect formal and informal knowledge search and transfer mechanisms.

Suggested Citation

  • Patriotta, Gerardo & Castellano, Anna & Wright, Mike, 2013. "Coordinating knowledge transfer: Global managers as higher-level intermediaries," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 48(4), pages 515-526.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:worbus:v:48:y:2013:i:4:p:515-526
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jwb.2012.09.007
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