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Building a process model of local adaptation of practices: A study of Six Sigma implementation in Korean and US firms

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  • Jisun Yu

    (John Molson School of Business, Concordia University, Montréal, Canada)

  • Srilata Zaheer

    (Carlson School of Management, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA)

Abstract

The strategic transformation of Asian firms into global players has involved the adoption and adaptation of many organizational practices developed in the West. We build a process model of adaptation by observing how an organizational practice is adapted to a local setting different from its locus of origin, through inductive methods and case studies of Six Sigma implementation in Korean and US firms. Based on these cases, we propose a cascading, sequential pattern to the local adaptation of the conceptual, social and technical dimensions of organizational practices, reconciling conflicting views in the literature on whether or not to adapt. Our theoretical model highlights the importance of considering the different degrees of contextual influence on different underlying dimensions of a practice, and of configuring each dimension accordingly. Further, we suggest that the sequence and configuration of adaptation across different practice dimensions matter to the successful implementation of a practice across borders.

Suggested Citation

  • Jisun Yu & Srilata Zaheer, 2010. "Building a process model of local adaptation of practices: A study of Six Sigma implementation in Korean and US firms," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 41(3), pages 475-499, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:jintbs:v:41:y:2010:i:3:p:475-499
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Boscari, Stefania & Danese, Pamela & Romano, Pietro, 2016. "Implementation of lean production in multinational corporations: A case study of the transfer process from headquarters to subsidiaries," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 176(C), pages 53-68.
    2. Newburry, William & Gardberg, Naomi A. & Sanchez, Juan I., 2014. "Employer Attractiveness in Latin America: The Association Among Foreignness, Internationalization and Talent Recruitment," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 20(3), pages 327-344.
    3. Elsahn, Ziad & Earl, Anna, 2022. "Alternative ways of studying time in qualitative international business research: A review and future agenda," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 28(3).
    4. Ye, Silin & Zhou, Jing & Jiang, Yunwen & Liu, Xiaming, 2023. "Managers as the bridge: How cultural friction influences the integration of cross-border mergers and acquisitions," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 32(4).
    5. Fortwengel, Johann & Gutierrez Huerter O, Gabriela & Kostova, Tatiana, 2023. "Three decades of research on practice transfer in multinational firms: Past contributions and future opportunities," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 58(3).
    6. Fortwengel, Johann & Jackson, Gregory, 2016. "Legitimizing the apprenticeship practice in a distant environment: Institutional entrepreneurship through inter-organizational networks," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 51(6), pages 895-909.
    7. Hwang, Sunil & Kim, Hyojin & Hur, Daesik & Schoenherr, Tobias, 2019. "Interorganizational information processing and the contingency effects of buyer-incurred uncertainty in a supplier's component development project," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 210(C), pages 169-183.
    8. Curchod, Corentin & Patriotta, Gerardo & Wright, Mike, 2020. "Self-categorization as a nonmarket strategy for MNE subsidiaries: Tracking the international expansion of an online platform," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 55(3).
    9. Fletcher, Margaret & Zhao, Yang & Plakoyiannaki, Emmanuella & Buck, Trevor, 2018. "Three Pathways to Case Selection in International Business: A Twenty–Year Review, Analysis and Synthesis," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 27(4), pages 755-766.
    10. Shin, Donghoon & Seidle, Russell & Okhmatovskiy, Ilya, 2016. "Making the foreign familiar: The influence of top management team and board of directors characteristics on the adoption of foreign practices," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 51(6), pages 937-949.

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