Knowledge integration in multinational enterprises: the role of inventors crossing national and organizational boundaries

Castellani, D. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1823-242X, Perr, A. and Scalera, V. G. (2022) Knowledge integration in multinational enterprises: the role of inventors crossing national and organizational boundaries. Journal of World Business, 57 (3). 101290. ISSN 1090-9516 doi: 10.1016/j.jwb.2021.101290

Abstract/Summary

Adopting a microfoundations approach to the analysis of intra-MNE knowledge integration, we focus on mobile inventors and their boundary-spanning experience. Using inventor-patent data on US-based MNEs, we show that intra-organizational cross-border mobility and inter-organizational mobility have respectively a positive and a negative effect on knowledge integration. Cross-border mobility within the MNE enables the temporary co-location of mobile inventors in different units, facilitating the dissemination of their knowledge within the MNE. Conversely, “job-hopping” inventors may remain organizational outsiders, which hinders their ability to foster intra-MNE knowledge integration.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/101526
Identification Number/DOI	10.1016/j.jwb.2021.101290
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Henley Business School > International Business and Strategy
Publisher	Elsevier
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