Proceedings | Management area | Year 2017
 

Exploring the Roles of Market-Driven Capability and Functional Diversification in Market Knowledge Transfer within MNCs

by Sirisuhk Rakthin
  
  IISES 33rd International Academic Conference in Vienna, Austria August 2017

Abstract

Drawing upon theory from transnational management and market-driven organization literatures, this study uses both survey and case study data of 162 respondents who works in three multinational corporations (MNCs) to examine the influence of functional diversification, market-driven capability, and cultural distance on a transfer of market knowledge from foreign affiliates to headquarter. The empirical results indicate a strong positive influence of both functional diversification and market-driven capability on a transfer of market knowledge, i.e., customer and competitor intelligence. The qualitative data collected through in-depth interviews with top executives were then leveraged to provide further explanation and support empirical results. Implications for academics and practitioners are also addressed.

Keywords: knowledge transfer in MNCs; actor network theory; market-driven; functional diversification