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Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to draw attention to the link between knowledge transfer flow and the location of a multinational corporation (MNC). Design/methodology/approach – The authors put forward a conceptual approach to formulate the mathematical modelling of a firm’s performance following the decision to join a regional cluster. This model builds on a recent stream of theoretical literature which has investigated the relationship between networks and the creation and diffusion of knowledge. The purpose of this model is to propose a mathematical tool to determine the long-term financial results induced by knowledge transfer from an MNC’s acquired subsidiary located in a cluster to another part of the MNC. Findings – This study has several important research implications. First, it is a useful step towards a better understanding of how knowledge transfer effects may interact with cluster effects, while explaining subsidiary location performance. Second, it focuses on the most valuable, often highly tacit knowledge competencies. Research limitations/implications – Other investigations would certainly be welcome to improve the links between the proposed mathematical model and the efficiency of the location of an MNC in a cluster through a quantitative study. Practical implications – The authors constructed this study with the aim of developing a model that would give us a better understanding of the impact of embedded knowledge on the efficiency of a localization choice made by an MNC. Originality/value – To date, there has been little in the literature on the profit arising from a multinational firm’s choice of location. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to examine the influence of the structural, relational, and cognitive dimensions of knowledge-sharing in subsidiaries of multinational enterprises (MNEs) located within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), and the impact of knowledge flows on the performance of such subsidiaries.Design/methodology/approach – A cross-sectional survey research design, involving the use of a questionnaire to acquire the primary data, is adopted. The analysis is based on 147 completed questionnaires. Descriptive statistics and multivariate regression analysis are used in the analysis of the data.Findings – Formal control mechanisms are widely used as opposed to informal channels of control. Knowledge flows are associated with personalised or bureaucratic controls. Both mechanisms are negatively associated with performance, whilst output control and informal coordination are positively associated. Increased local presence and subsidiary R&D is positively associated with performance.Research limitations/implications – The methodology adopted for this study can be extended for similar studies in the Middle East or in GCC countries. Policy makers in host countries in which MNE subsidiaries operate may find the results an important leverage for negotiating with MNEs for R&D to be conducted in their countries. Possible spill-overs and diffusion effects of such R&D could then also benefit domestic firms.Originality/value – This is one of few studies of this nature conducted in the Middle East, and the only one in the context of KSA, which has explicitly investigated the connection between knowledge flows, controls, and performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - In the globalized economy, it is becoming increasingly necessary for firms in emerging economies to adopt advanced knowledge and technology from external sources, both domestic and abroad. This paper aims to identify knowledge flows through domestic and international customer-supplier relationships that cause gaps in quality assurance, cost reduction, and timely delivery among firms in emerging countries. Design/methodology/approach - The authors constructed an original dataset on production networks within manufacturing firms in Vietnam (including Hanoi and the surrounding region) and estimated statistical models for the relationship between face-to-face interactions within a supply chain and QCD (Quality, Cost, Delivery). Findings from in-depth interviews with Japanese firms in emerging economies complement the quantitative analysis. Findings - The incidence of face-to-face interactions between two firms within a production chain via resident engineers significantly explains the variation in performance of total quality management among firms in Vietnam under controlling vertical ownership within a chain. Since the authors could find no significant correlations between transactions of goods along the supply chain and QCD, it is safe to say that transfer of intangible assets among interconnected firms may cause the difference in QCD among firms in Vietnam. Originality/value - This represents the first systematic quantitative research on the asymmetric gains from face-to-face interactions with downstream and upstream firms, and it offers a new development in the study of transfers of intangible assets within a supply chain in Asian emerging economies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to use the critical approach to management research (Alvesson and Deetz), to examine intellectual capital (IC) with the twin perspectives of from inside the classroom and as a bottom-up approach, and, in the process, develop a micro IC model of knowledge flows. Design/methodology/approach – The paper presents a case study, based on the author's experience in applying the concept of micro IC to the classroom and student learning. Findings – IC is created without the students being formally aware of its extent. The focus moves from a top-down evaluation of IC stocks such as student academic performance to a bottom-up view of IC flows in which discipline knowledge is applied and generic attributes such as collaboration, communication and critical evaluation are exercised with incremental improvement. These are not normally noticed by the students. However, some skills which do not form part of the university skills plan are acknowledged by students. These include high engagement in the classroom instead of passive learning, more confident, flexible communication and persuasion, as well as the ability to speak unprepared without resorting to reciting from the textbook or lecture slides. Research limitations/implications – The model for micro IC is based on case study research which has been conducted longitudinally for three years. The micro IC knowledge flow model has been developed outside the business environment but with reference to it. Practical implications – There is scope to compare and apply the insights from the micro IC model to business performance without requiring an overarching interwoven set of indicators as is required by approaches such as the balanced scorecard. Social implications – A micro IC approach provides a bottom-up method for understanding the often significant benefits of IC that are hidden by a top-down approach. Originality/value – A micro IC approach has not been previously proposed. The paper both provides a model drawn from the knowledge literature and then applies it to learning and teaching in management accounting coursework which uses a team-learning approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – This paper aims to hypothesize that modern health systems are transforming towards what has been called a health ecosystem in complexity-based health care literature. It has been argued that complexity arises from the interconnectedness, which in this paper is equated with knowledge flows between actors. The paper seeks to discuss the possible implications of a health ecosystem approach to health system management. Design/methodology/approach – The paper is conceptual in nature but the transition towards a health ecosystem is illustrated with an example of a regional health care system in Finland. The case description and related analysis presented are based on qualitative data gathered by interviewing leading office-holders, by process modeling and by observing management group meetings. Findings – Conceptually, a health ecosystem seems to have potential for the system-level analysis of the health care system. The discussion concludes that management of knowledge flows should be a strategic management function for individual health organizations as well as for the wider health system. Research limitations/implications – This study focuses on a Finnish health care system. The operations and structures of health care services and systems vary in different areas and countries. Practical implications – The practical illustration of the health ecosystem provides a reminder that health care systems are dynamic and largely based on interaction between different actors. The approach provides new strategic insights for the development of health care systems by concentrating on interrelationships and knowledge flows. Originality/value – The literature has suggested that the ecosystem metaphor offers useful insights for the development of health care systems. Nevertheless, this approach has not been thoroughly studied so far. This paper makes a contribution by presenting a practical illustration of the framework and in light of this discusses the possible implications for health care management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to determine the effects of knowledge spillovers on innovation and collaboration among firms located in science and technology parks (STPs). To do so, whether knowledge spillovers imply a greater degree of innovation in its various forms – product, process, organisational and commercial – and greater inter-organisational collaboration on research and development (R&D) is analysed. Explicitly, this article examines these effects by identifying and distinguishing between firms located on and off STPs.Design/methodology/approach – This paper adopts a quantitative approach. After reviewing the literature, the study tests the hypotheses empirically using a sample of 784 firms, and performing several logistic binomial regressions to analyse the impact of each type of knowledge spillover on each type of innovation and on the likelihood of firms establishing inter-organisational collaborative R&D agreements.Findings – The results show that knowledge spillovers have a positive impact on firm propensity to innovate and on the probability of firms engaging in inter-organisational R&D collaboration. Furthermore, firm location within an STP is found to influence the intensity of the effect of spillovers on innovation and on R&D cooperation. Thus, the magnitude of the effects of spillovers differs according to the type of the spillover.Originality/value – Given the special features of spillovers and the scarce evidence available analysing the relationship between spillovers, innovation and cooperation and the location on STPs, this work contributes significant empirical evidence to the existing literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]