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A microfoundations approach to transnational capabilities: The role of knowledge search in an ever-changing world

Author

Listed:
  • Shad Morris

    (Marriott School of Management, Brigham Young University, Provo, USA)

  • Ryan Hammond

    (SKK Graduate School of Business, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, South Korea)

  • Scott Snell

    (Darden School of Business, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, USA)

Abstract

Scholars seeking to understand the origin of dynamic capabilities have struggled to articulate specific capabilities and locate their source of variation within the firm. We propose that the transnational imperative and a microfoundations approach to knowledge search can help to develop this topic. Adopting an engaged scholarship approach, hypotheses are tested in a global consulting company. Counter to traditional capabilities arguments, we find that drawing from globally dispersed colleagues will more strongly impact local responsiveness than drawing from locals outside the company – though both may still be needed. Efficiency increases when teams draw upon codified knowledge but decreases when they draw upon embedded tacit knowledge. Finally, through continual learning teams can change and re-direct the composition of their responsiveness and efficiency activities in ways sensitive to an ever-changing world.

Suggested Citation

  • Shad Morris & Ryan Hammond & Scott Snell, 2014. "A microfoundations approach to transnational capabilities: The role of knowledge search in an ever-changing world," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 45(4), pages 405-427, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:jintbs:v:45:y:2014:i:4:p:405-427
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Vahtera, Pekka & Buckley, Peter & Aliyev, Murod, 2017. "Affective conflict and identification of knowledge sources in MNE teams," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 26(5), pages 881-895.
    2. Sara L. McGaughey & Pascalis Raimondos & Lisbeth Cour, 0. "Foreign influence, control, and indirect ownership: Implications for productivity spillovers," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 0, pages 1-22.
    3. Yan, Ji & Tsinopoulos, Christos & Xiong, Yu, 2021. "Unpacking the impact of innovation ambidexterity on export performance: Microfoundations and infrastructure investment," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 30(1).
    4. Christofi, Michael & Pereira, Vijay & Vrontis, Demetris & Tarba, Shlomo & Thrassou, Alkis, 2021. "Agility and flexibility in international business research: A comprehensive review and future research directions," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 56(3).
    5. Najafi-Tavani, Zhaleh & Robson, Matthew J. & Zaefarian, Ghasem & Andersson, Ulf & Yu, Chong, 2018. "Building subsidiary local responsiveness: (When) does the directionality of intrafirm knowledge transfers matter?," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 53(4), pages 475-492.
    6. Ilya R. P. Cuypers & Gokhan Ertug & John Cantwell & Akbar Zaheer & Martin Kilduff, 2020. "Making connections: Social networks in international business," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 51(5), pages 714-736, July.
    7. Venkatesh, Viswanath & Davis, Fred D. & Zhu, Yaping, 2022. "A cultural contingency model of knowledge sharing and job performance," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 140(C), pages 202-219.
    8. Ma, Danni & Fee, Anthony & Grabowski, Simone & Scerri, Moira, 2022. "Dual Organizational Identification in Multinational Enterprises and Interpersonal Horizontal Knowledge Sharing: A Conceptual Model," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 28(1).
    9. Shad Morris & Scott Snell & Ingmar Björkman, 2016. "An architectural framework for global talent management," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 47(6), pages 723-747, August.
    10. Dodourova, Mariana & Zhao, Shasha & Harzing, Anne-Wil, 2023. "Ambidexterity in MNC knowledge sourcing in emerging economies: A microfoundational perspective," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 32(2).
    11. Dodourova, Mariana & Zhao, Shasha & Harzing, Anne-Wil, 2023. "Ambidexterity in MNC knowledge sourcing in emerging economies : A microfoundational perspective," Other publications TiSEM b61c5495-162a-4686-9614-0, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.
    12. Koveshnikov, Alexei & Tienari, Janne & Piekkari, Rebecca, 2019. "Gender in international business journals: A review and conceptualization of MNCs as gendered social spaces," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 54(1), pages 37-53.
    13. Ilya R. P. Cuypers & Gokhan Ertug & John Cantwell & Akbar Zaheer & Martin Kilduff, 0. "Making connections: Social networks in international business," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 0, pages 1-23.
    14. Michailova, Snejina & Fee, Anthony & DeNisi, Angelo, 2023. "Research on host-country nationals in multinational enterprises: The last five decades and ways forward," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 58(1).
    15. Taewon Suh & Omar J. Khan & Benedikt Schnellbächer & Sven Heidenreich, 2019. "Strategic Accord And Tension For Business Model Innovation: Examining Different Tacit Knowledge Types And Open Action Strategies," International Journal of Innovation Management (ijim), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 24(04), pages 1-29, July.
    16. Torben Pedersen & Marcus M Larsen & Àngels Dasí, 2020. "Searching locally and globally: Applying Daniel Levinthal’s scholarship to international business," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 51(9), pages 1532-1546, December.
    17. Heuschneider, Sara & Herstatt, Cornelius, 2016. "External search for exploration of future discontinuities and trends: Implications from the literature using co-citation and content analysis," Working Papers 92, Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH), Institute for Technology and Innovation Management.
    18. Sunny Li Sun & Weilei (Stone) Shi & David Ahlstrom & Li (Rachel) Tian, 2020. "Understanding institutions and entrepreneurship: The microfoundations lens and emerging economies," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 37(4), pages 957-979, December.
    19. Faroque, Anisur R. & Morrish, Sussie C. & Kuivalainen, Olli & Sundqvist, Sanna & Torkkeli, Lasse, 2021. "Microfoundations of network exploration and exploitation capabilities in international opportunity recognition," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 30(1).
    20. Bouguerra, Abderaouf & Gölgeci, Ismail & Gligor, David M. & Tatoglu, Ekrem, 2021. "How do agile organizations contribute to environmental collaboration? Evidence from MNEs in Turkey," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 27(1).
    21. Dimitrios Georgakakis & Mads E. Wedell-Wedellsborg & Tommaso Vallone & Peder Greve, 2023. "Strategic leaders in multinational enterprises: A role-specific microfoundational view and research agenda," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 54(3), pages 514-537, April.
    22. Yadong Luo & Shaker A. Zahra, 2023. "Industry 4.0 in international business research," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 54(3), pages 403-417, April.
    23. Pereira, Vijay & Patnaik, Swetketu & Temouri, Yama & Tarba, Shlomo & Malik, Ashish & Bustinza, Oscar, 2021. "A longitudinal micro-foundational investigation into ambidextrous practices in an international alliance context–A case of a biopharma EMNE," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 30(1).
    24. Nicolai J. Foss & Torben Pedersen, 2019. "Microfoundations in international management research: The case of knowledge sharing in multinational corporations," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 50(9), pages 1594-1621, December.
    25. Sara L. McGaughey & Pascalis Raimondos & Lisbeth Cour, 2020. "Foreign influence, control, and indirect ownership: Implications for productivity spillovers," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 51(9), pages 1391-1412, December.

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