Not all international assignments are created equal: HQ-subsidiary knowledge transfer patterns across types of assignments and types of knowledge

Article

Duvivier, F., Peeters, C. and Harzing, A. 2019. Not all international assignments are created equal: HQ-subsidiary knowledge transfer patterns across types of assignments and types of knowledge. Journal of World Business. 54 (3), pp. 181-190. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jwb.2019.02.003
TypeArticle
TitleNot all international assignments are created equal: HQ-subsidiary knowledge transfer patterns across types of assignments and types of knowledge
AuthorsDuvivier, F., Peeters, C. and Harzing, A.
Abstract

Drawing on 50 semi-structured interviews in a case study of a Belgian multinational and its foreign subsidiary in Poland, we develop new insights into how using different types of international assignments (long-term expatriation, short-term expatriation, short-term inpatriation) allows a HQ-subsidiary dyad to transfer different types of knowledge (declarative, procedural, axiomatic, relational), both from and to HQ, during and after the assignment. We show how each type of assignment acts as a unique knowledge transfer channel, and why it is critical that HQ-subsidiary dyads use an appropriate combination and sequence of international assignments reflecting their specific knowledge transfer needs.

KeywordsExpatriation; Inpatriation; Knowledge transfer; Knowledge types; HQ-subsidiary relationships
Research GroupInternational and Cross-cultural Management group
PublisherElsevier
JournalJournal of World Business
ISSN1090-9516
Electronic1878-5573
Publication dates
Online13 Feb 2019
Print01 Apr 2019
Publication process dates
Deposited07 Feb 2019
Accepted05 Feb 2019
Accepted18 Oct 2017
Publisher's version
License
Accepted author manuscript
License
File Access Level
Restricted
Copyright Statement

© 2019. This manuscript version is made available under the CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 license https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jwb.2019.02.003
LanguageEnglish
Permalink -

https://repository.mdx.ac.uk/item/88279

Log in to edit

Download files

Publisher's version
1-s2.0-S1090951617307575-main_published.pdf
License: CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

  • 70
    total views
  • 17
    total downloads
  • 4
    views this month
  • 1
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

Applying IB knowledge to IB researchers: the academic capability building and knowledge creation process
Kim, H. and Harzing, A. 2024. Applying IB knowledge to IB researchers: the academic capability building and knowledge creation process. AIB Insights. 24 (1). https://doi.org/10.46697/001c.91983
Using the Publish or Perish software
Harzing, A. 2023. Using the Publish or Perish software. Tarma Software Research.
Measuring and improving research impact
Harzing, A. 2023. Measuring and improving research impact. Tarma Software Research.
Creating social media profiles
Harzing, A. 2023. Creating social media profiles. Tarma Software Research.
Implementing the equality, diversity, and inclusion agenda in multinational companies: a framework for the management of (linguistic) diversity
Ciuk, S., Śliwa, M. and Harzing, A. 2023. Implementing the equality, diversity, and inclusion agenda in multinational companies: a framework for the management of (linguistic) diversity. Human Resource Management Journal. 33 (4), pp. 868-888. https://doi.org/10.1111/1748-8583.12487
Publishing in academic journals
Harzing, A. 2022. Publishing in academic journals. Tarma Software Research.
Writing effective promotion applications
Harzing, A. 2022. Writing effective promotion applications. Tarma Software Research.
International assignments
Reiche, B. and Harzing, A. 2022. International assignments. in: Reiche, B., Tenzer, H. and Harzing, A. (ed.) International human resource management SAGE Publications. pp. 153-190
How does successive inpatriation contribute to subsidiary capability building and subsidiary evolution? An organizational knowledge creation perspective
Kim, H., Reiche, B. and Harzing, A. 2022. How does successive inpatriation contribute to subsidiary capability building and subsidiary evolution? An organizational knowledge creation perspective. Journal of International Business Studies. 53 (7), pp. 1394-1419. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41267-021-00494-3
Cultures and institutions: dispositional and contextual explanations for country-of-origin effects in MNC 'ethnocentric' staffing practices
Lee, H., Yoshikawa, K. and Harzing, A. 2022. Cultures and institutions: dispositional and contextual explanations for country-of-origin effects in MNC 'ethnocentric' staffing practices. Organization Studies. 43 (4), pp. 497-519. https://doi.org/10.1177/01708406211006247
No room at the top? A system dynamics view of the recursive consequences of women’s underrepresentation in international assignments
Bastida, M., Pinto, L. and Harzing, A. 2021. No room at the top? A system dynamics view of the recursive consequences of women’s underrepresentation in international assignments. Journal of Global Mobility. 9 (3), pp. 361-381. https://doi.org/10.1108/JGM-04-2021-0047
Expatriate cultural identity negotiation strategies: a dynamic framework
Li, C., Zhang, L. and Harzing, A. 2021. Expatriate cultural identity negotiation strategies: a dynamic framework. in: Chavan, M. and Taksa, L. (ed.) Intercultural Management in Practice United Kingdom Emerald Publishing Limited. pp. 131-140
By mutual agreement: how can ethnically similar expatriates engage host country employees
Fan, S. and Harzing, A. 2021. By mutual agreement: how can ethnically similar expatriates engage host country employees. in: Chavan, M. and Taksa, L. (ed.) Intercultural Management in Practice United Kingdom Emerald Publishing Limited. pp. 83-95
Ambidexterity in MNC knowledge sourcing in emerging economies: a microfoundational perspective
Dodourova, M., Zhao, S. and Harzing, A. 2023. Ambidexterity in MNC knowledge sourcing in emerging economies: a microfoundational perspective. International Business Review. 32 (2). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibusrev.2021.101854
Guest editorial [Special Issue: Do multinational enterprise contribute to, or reduce global inequality?]
Zhao, S., Gooderham, P., Papanastassiou, M. and Harzing, A. 2021. Guest editorial [Special Issue: Do multinational enterprise contribute to, or reduce global inequality?]. Critical Perspectives on International Business. 17 (1), pp. 2-8. https://doi.org/10.1108/cpoib-03-2021-107
The double-edged sword of ethnic similarity for expatriates
Fan, S. and Harzing, A. 2021. The double-edged sword of ethnic similarity for expatriates. Organizational Dynamics. 50 (4). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.orgdyn.2020.100801
Moving beyond the baseline: exploring the potential of experiments in language research
Fan, S. and Harzing, A. 2020. Moving beyond the baseline: exploring the potential of experiments in language research. in: Horn, S., Lecomte, P. and Tietze, S. (ed.) Managing Multilingual Workplaces: Methodological, Empirical and Pedagogic Perspectives Routledge. pp. 9-28
Two new kids on the block: How do Crossref and Dimensions compare with Google Scholar, Microsoft Academic, Scopus and the Web of Science?
Harzing, A. 2019. Two new kids on the block: How do Crossref and Dimensions compare with Google Scholar, Microsoft Academic, Scopus and the Web of Science? Scientometrics. 120 (1), pp. 341-349. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-019-03114-y
Everything you always wanted to know about research impact
Harzing, A. 2020. Everything you always wanted to know about research impact. in: Wright, M., Ketchen, D. and Clark, T. (ed.) How to get published in the best management journals Cheltenham, UK | Northampton, MA, USA Edward Elgar Publishing . pp. 127-141
The internationalization of innovation towards the South: a historical case study of a global pharmaceutical corporation in China (1993-2017)
Zhao, S., Tan, H., Papanastassiou, M. and Harzing, A. 2020. The internationalization of innovation towards the South: a historical case study of a global pharmaceutical corporation in China (1993-2017). Asia Pacific journal of management. 37 (2), pp. 553-585. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10490-018-9620-x
Of ostriches, frogs, birds and lizards: a dynamic framework of cultural identity negotiation strategies in an era of global mobility
Li, C., Zhang, L. and Harzing, A. 2019. Of ostriches, frogs, birds and lizards: a dynamic framework of cultural identity negotiation strategies in an era of global mobility. Journal of Global Mobility. 7 (3), pp. 239-254. https://doi.org/10.1108/JGM-04-2019-0021
How to make career advancement in Economics more inclusive
Harzing, A., Vinkenburg, C. and van Engen, M. 2018. How to make career advancement in Economics more inclusive. Economisch Statistische Berichten. 103 (4767S), pp. 42-18.
How you see me, how you don't: ethnic identity self-verification in interactions between local subsidiary employees and ethnically similar expatriates
Fan, S., Harzing, A. and Köhler, T. 2020. How you see me, how you don't: ethnic identity self-verification in interactions between local subsidiary employees and ethnically similar expatriates. The International Journal of Human Resource Management. 31 (19), pp. 2407-2433. https://doi.org/10.1080/09585192.2018.1448294
International assignments
Reiche, B. and Harzing, A. 2018. International assignments. in: Reiche, B., Harzing, A. and Tenzer, H. (ed.) International Human Resource Management, 5th edition London, UK SAGE Publications. pp. 159-207
Managing expatriates in China: a language and identity perspective
Zhang, L., Harzing, A. and Fan, S. 2018. Managing expatriates in China: a language and identity perspective. London, UK Palgrave Macmillan.
The benefits of being understood: the role of ethnic identity confirmation in knowledge acquisition by expatriates
Fan, S., Cregan, C., Harzing, A. and Köhler, T. 2018. The benefits of being understood: the role of ethnic identity confirmation in knowledge acquisition by expatriates. Human Resource Management. 57 (1), pp. 327-339. https://doi.org/10.1002/hrm.21839
Language in international business: a review and agenda for future research
Tenzer, H., Terjesen, S. and Harzing, A. 2017. Language in international business: a review and agenda for future research. Management International Review. 57 (6), pp. 815-854. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11575-017-0319-x
Microsoft Academic is one year old: the Phoenix is ready to leave the nest
Harzing, A. and Alakangas, S. 2017. Microsoft Academic is one year old: the Phoenix is ready to leave the nest. Scientometrics. 112 (3), pp. 1887-1894. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-017-2454-3
Host country employees' ethnic identity confirmation: evidence from interactions with ethnically similar expatriates
Fan, S. and Harzing, A. 2017. Host country employees' ethnic identity confirmation: evidence from interactions with ethnically similar expatriates. Journal of World Business. 52 (5), pp. 640-652. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jwb.2017.05.001
Can we use Google Scholar to identify highly-cited documents?
Martin-Martin, A., Orduna-Malea, E., Harzing, A. and Delgado López-Cózar, E. 2017. Can we use Google Scholar to identify highly-cited documents? Journal of Informetrics. 11 (1), pp. 152-163. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joi.2016.11.008
Microsoft academic: is the Phoenix getting wings?
Harzing, A. and Alakangas, S. 2017. Microsoft academic: is the Phoenix getting wings? Scientometrics. 110 (1), pp. 371-383. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-016-2185-x
Microsoft Academic (Search): a Phoenix arisen from the ashes?
Harzing, A. 2016. Microsoft Academic (Search): a Phoenix arisen from the ashes? Scientometrics. 108 (3), pp. 1637-1647. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-016-2026-y
What, who or where? Rejoinder to "identifying research topic development in Business and Management education research using legitimation code theory"
Harzing, A. 2016. What, who or where? Rejoinder to "identifying research topic development in Business and Management education research using legitimation code theory". Journal of Management Education. 40 (6), pp. 726-731. https://doi.org/10.1177/1052562916652911
Why replication studies are essential: learning from failure and success
Harzing, A. 2016. Why replication studies are essential: learning from failure and success. Cross Cultural & Strategic Management. 23 (4), pp. 563-568. https://doi.org/10.1108/CCSM-07-2016-0133
From dilemmatic struggle to legitimized indifference: expatriates' host country language learning and its impact on the expatriate-HCE relationship
Zhang, L. and Harzing, A. 2016. From dilemmatic struggle to legitimized indifference: expatriates' host country language learning and its impact on the expatriate-HCE relationship. Journal of World Business. 51 (5), pp. 774-786. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jwb.2016.06.001
Google Scholar, Scopus and the Web of Science: a longitudinal and cross-disciplinary comparison
Harzing, A. and Alakangas, S. 2016. Google Scholar, Scopus and the Web of Science: a longitudinal and cross-disciplinary comparison. Scientometrics. 106 (2), pp. 787-804. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-015-1798-9
Health warning: might contain multiple personalities - the problem of homonyms in Thomson Reuters Essential Science Indicators
Harzing, A. 2015. Health warning: might contain multiple personalities - the problem of homonyms in Thomson Reuters Essential Science Indicators. Scientometrics. 105 (3), pp. 2259-2270. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-015-1699-y
Disseminating knowledge: from potential to reality – new open-access journals collide with convention
Harzing, A. and Adler, N. 2016. Disseminating knowledge: from potential to reality – new open-access journals collide with convention. Academy of Management Learning & Education. 15 (1), pp. 140-156. https://doi.org/10.5465/amle.2013.0373
Do we need to distance ourselves from the distance concept? Why home and host country context might matter more than (cultural) distance
Harzing, A. and Pudelko, M. 2016. Do we need to distance ourselves from the distance concept? Why home and host country context might matter more than (cultural) distance. Management International Review. 56 (1), pp. 1-34. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11575-015-0265-4
Of journal editors and editorial boards: who are the trailblazers in increasing editorial board gender equality?
Metz, I., Harzing, A. and Zyphur, M. 2016. Of journal editors and editorial boards: who are the trailblazers in increasing editorial board gender equality? British Journal of Management. 27 (4), pp. 712-726. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8551.12133
The internationalisation of innovation to China: the case of AstraZeneca PLC
Zhao, S., Tan, H., Papanastassiou, M. and Harzing, A. 2016. The internationalisation of innovation to China: the case of AstraZeneca PLC. Academy of International Business Annual Meeting. New Orleans 27 - 30 Jun 2016 Academy of International Business (AIB).
Cross-cultural management and language studies within international business research: past and present paradigms and suggestions for future research
Pudelko, M., Tenzer, H. and Harzing, A. 2015. Cross-cultural management and language studies within international business research: past and present paradigms and suggestions for future research. in: Holden, N., Michailova, S. and Tietze, S. (ed.) The Routledge Companion to Cross-Cultural Management Routledge. pp. 85-94
Why and how does shared language affect subsidiary knowledge inflows? A social identity perspective
Reiche, B., Harzing, A. and Pudelko, M. 2015. Why and how does shared language affect subsidiary knowledge inflows? A social identity perspective. Journal of International Business Studies. 46 (5), pp. 528-551. https://doi.org/10.1057/jibs.2015.3
The bridging role of expatriates and inpatriates in knowledge transfer in multinational corporations
Harzing, A., Pudelko, M. and Reiche, B. 2016. The bridging role of expatriates and inpatriates in knowledge transfer in multinational corporations. Human Resource Management. 55 (4), pp. 679-695. https://doi.org/10.1002/hrm.21681
Proof over promise: towards a more inclusive ranking of Dutch academics in Economics & Business
Harzing, A. and Mijnhardt, W. 2015. Proof over promise: towards a more inclusive ranking of Dutch academics in Economics & Business. Scientometrics. 102 (1), pp. 727-749. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-014-1370-z
hIa: an individual annual h-index to accommodate disciplinary and career length differences
Harzing, A., Alakangas, S. and Adams, D. 2014. hIa: an individual annual h-index to accommodate disciplinary and career length differences. Scientometrics. 99 (3), pp. 811-821. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-013-1208-0
Hablas vielleicht un peu la mia language? A comprehensive overview of the role of language differences in headquarters-subsidiary communication
Harzing, A. and Pudelko, M. 2014. Hablas vielleicht un peu la mia language? A comprehensive overview of the role of language differences in headquarters-subsidiary communication. The International Journal of Human Resource Management. 25 (5), pp. 696-717. https://doi.org/10.1080/09585192.2013.809013
A longitudinal study of Google Scholar coverage between 2012 and 2013
Harzing, A. 2014. A longitudinal study of Google Scholar coverage between 2012 and 2013. Scientometrics. 98 (1), pp. 565-575. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-013-0975-y
International assignments
Reiche, B. and Harzing, A. 2014. International assignments. in: Harzing, A. and Pinnington, A. (ed.) International Human Resource Management, 4th edition London, UK SAGE Publications. pp. 145-190
The impact of language barriers on trust formation in multinational teams
Tenzer, H., Pudelko, M. and Harzing, A. 2014. The impact of language barriers on trust formation in multinational teams. Journal of International Business Studies. 45 (5), pp. 508-535. https://doi.org/10.1057/jibs.2013.64
The competitive advantage of nations: an application to academia
Harzing, A. and Giroud, A. 2014. The competitive advantage of nations: an application to academia. Journal of Informetrics. 8 (1), pp. 29-42. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joi.2013.10.007
Language competencies, policies and practices in multinational corporations: A comprehensive review and comparison of Anglophone, Asian, Continental European and Nordic MNCs
Harzing, A. and Pudelko, M. 2013. Language competencies, policies and practices in multinational corporations: A comprehensive review and comparison of Anglophone, Asian, Continental European and Nordic MNCs. Journal of World Business. 48 (1), pp. 87-97. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jwb.2012.06.011