Knowledge Sourcing : Tobias Schmidt, Wolfgang Sofka.

Multinational corporations (MNC) search increasingly for lead market knowledge and technological expertise around the globe. We investigate whether their subsidiaries gain access to these valuable sources of host country knowledge to the same degree as domestic rivals. We develop a theoretical frame...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Schmidt, Tobias
Other Authors: Sofka, Wolfgang
Format: Book
Language:English
Published: Frankfurt am Main : Deutsche Bundesbank, 2009
Series:Discussion paper (Deutsche Bundesbank). Series 1: economic studies no. 09/2009
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.econstor.eu/bitstream/10419/27663/1/200909dkp.pdf
Description
Summary:Multinational corporations (MNC) search increasingly for lead market knowledge and technological expertise around the globe. We investigate whether their subsidiaries gain access to these valuable sources of host country knowledge to the same degree as domestic rivals. We develop a theoretical framework for "why" and "how" a lack of embeddedness and legitimacy (liability of foreignness) may translate into additional obstacles for foreign subsidiaries. We test these hypotheses empirically using a broad dataset of more than 1,000 innovative firms in Germany. We find that MNCs can compete on an equal footing with host country competitors when it comes to generating impulses for innovations from universities. They are significantly challenged by liabilities of foreignness, though, when host country customers are involved. The disadvantages are especially pronounced when the host country industry is at the technological forefront. We suggest that the disadvantages arising from liability of foreignness in the host country are particularly relevant when promising lead customers have to be identified and their tacit and often unarticulated impulses have to be transferred, understood and prioritized.
Physical Description:47 p.
Bibliography:Bibliografía: p. 26-38.
ISBN:9783865585127