Expatriate Knowledge Transfer, Subsidiary Absorptive Capacity, and Subsidiary Performance
Abstract
In this study, we theoretically identify three dimensions of expatriate competencies—ability, motivation, and opportunity seeking—for knowledge transfer. Integrating the ability-motivation-opportunity framework and the absorptive capacity perspective, we propose that expatriate competencies in knowledge transfer influence a subsidiary's performance through the knowledge received by the subsidiary, but that this indirect effect is stronger when subsidiary absorptive capacity is greater. We collected multisource, time-lagged data from 162 British subsidiaries of Taiwanese multinational firms. The results support our hypotheses. Overall, we contribute to expatriation theory and research by revealing specific expatriate competencies as well as identifying boundary conditions for successful expatriate knowledge transfer.
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Global talent research has predominantly examined the role of expatriation on organizational or individual goals.
“In this sense, global talent research has predominantly examined the role of expatriation on their organizational (e.g., economic performance) or their individual (e.g., career development) goals (Chang et al., 2012;Gong, 2003aGong, , 2003b;;Harzing, 2001;Sanders & De Cieri, 2021).”
From Advancing the sustainability agenda through strategic human resource management: Insights and suggestions for future research (2023) · cites this paper as Chang et al., 2012
Expatriates are largely encouraged to incorporate CSR into their operational activities, especially those who can transfer headquarters information and corporate culture to host market business practices.
“On the one hand, expatriates are largely encouraged to incorporate CSR into their operational activities, especially those expatriates who can transfer headquarters information and corporate culture to host market business practices (Chang et al., 2012).”
From Advancing the sustainability agenda through strategic human resource management: Insights and suggestions for future research (2023) · cites this paper as Chang et al., 2012
Seeking knowledge overseas is the key motivator for emerging market multinationals embedding in foreign markets through implementing CSR initiatives.
“In a similar vein, scholars (e.g., Chang et al., 2012;Wu & Fan, 2021) find that seeking knowledge overseas is the key motivator for emerging market multinationals embedding in foreign markets through implementing CSR initiatives.”
From Advancing the sustainability agenda through strategic human resource management: Insights and suggestions for future research (2023) · cites this paper as Chang et al., 2012
Cites
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“Overall, we contribute to the broader literature on knowledge transfer, in which a fundamental issue is to identify "the conditions under which moving people will result in knowledge transfer" (Argote & Ingram, 2000: 164).”
BackgroundInfluentialKnowledge of the Firm and the Evolutionary Theory of the Multinational Corporation
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“Prior research has also suggested that cultural differences between source and recipient hamper knowledge acquisition (Easterby-Smith et al., 2008; van Wijk et al., 2008).”
BackgroundMethodInfluentialAbusive supervision and subordinates’ organization deviance
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Ren, S., Cooke, F. L., Stahl, G. K., Fan, D., & Timming, A. R. (2023) · Human Resource Management · doi:10.1002/hrm.22169 · Cited by 148 · see citing works
Knowledge Retention From Older and Retiring Workers: What Do We Know, and Where Do We Go From Here?
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- Authors
- Chang, Y.-Y., Gong, Y., & Peng, M. W.
- Affiliations
- National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (TW)
- Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HK)
- The University of Texas at Dallas (US)
- Venue
- Academy of Management Journal
- Publisher
- Academy of Management
- Published
- 2012-08
- Volume
- 55
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 927-948
- ISSN
- 0001-4273 (ISSN-L)
- 1948-0989
- OpenAlex
- W2050504944
- Cited by
- 528
- References
- 9
- Citations by year
- 2026: 20 · 2025: 45 · 2024: 39 · 2023: 36 · 2022: 40 · 2021: 47 · 2020: 42 · 2019: 46 · 2018: 44 · 2017: 32 · 2016: 46 · 2015: 32 · 2014: 35 · 2013: 21 · 2012: 3
- FWCI
- 93.71
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Academy of Management Journal (publishedVersion)
- Rare & Special e-Zone (The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology) (submittedVersion)
- eSpace (Curtin University) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Communication › International Student and Expatriate Challenges
- Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Strategy and Management › International Business and FDI
- Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Strategy and Management › Innovation and Knowledge Management
- Keywords
- subsidiary performance, ability-motivation-opportunity framework, foreign subsidiaries, boundary conditions
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