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Conceptualizing knowledge transfer between expatriates and host country nationals: The mediating effect of social capital

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  • Maimunah Ismail

Abstract

This paper aims to propose a conceptual model of knowledge transfer by relating two specific personal factors of expatriate and host country national (HCN) dyads as antecedents of knowledge transfer, and mediated by social capital factors. An intensive literature review method was employed to identify and analyse relevant literatures. The paper used a dyadic bi-directional approach in theorizing knowledge transfer by integrating the social capital theory, and the anxiety and uncertainty management theory. The paper considers two personal factors (cultural intelligence and knowledge-seeking behaviour) and two social capital variables (trust and shared vision) as mediators of knowledge transfer. Upon model validation, the paper could offer practical interventions for human resource practitioners and managers to assist multinational corporations towards managing knowledge transfer involving expatriates and HCNs.

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  • 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.
  • Handle: RePEc:taf:oabmxx:v:2:y:2015:i:1:p:1101803
    DOI: 10.1080/23311975.2015.1101803
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    Cited by:

    1. Dian Prihadyanti & Karlina Sari & Dudi Hidayat & Nur Laili & Budi Triyono & Chichi Shintia Laksani, 2022. "The Changing Nature of Expatriation: The Emerging Role of Knowledge Transfer Readiness," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 13(2), pages 1496-1541, June.
    2. Maimunah Ismail & Sayang Syamira Sobri & Nurul Afiqah Zulkifly & Siti Raba'ah Hamzah & Eriko Yamato, 2016. "Knowledge Transfer Between Expatriates And Host Country Nationals: Contribution Of Individual And Social Capital Factors," Organizations and Markets in Emerging Economies, Faculty of Economics, Vilnius University, vol. 7(2).
    3. Friederike Mathey & Evgenia I. Lysova & Svetlana N. Khapova, 2024. "How is social capital formed and leveraged in international careers? A systematic review and future research directions," Management Review Quarterly, Springer, vol. 74(3), pages 1209-1248, September.

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