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Knowledge transfer and international joint ventures: the case of NUMMI and General Motors
Author(s) -
Inkpen Andrew C.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
strategic management journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 11.035
H-Index - 286
eISSN - 1097-0266
pISSN - 0143-2095
DOI - 10.1002/smj.663
Subject(s) - knowledge transfer , ambiguity , knowledge management , organizational learning , joint venture , perspective (graphical) , outcome (game theory) , international joint venture , absorptive capacity , computer science , business , artificial intelligence , economics , microeconomics , business administration , programming language
Using a case study of NUMMI, a joint venture between General Motors (GM) and Toyota, this research note examines alliances and knowledge transfer with a focus on the organizational processes used to transfer knowledge. The results suggest two possible explanations for the knowledge transfer outcome. The primary explanation is that the systematic implementation of knowledge transfer mechanisms can overcome the stickiness and causal ambiguity of new knowledge. A second explanation is that creating successful knowledge transfer should be viewed from a change management perspective in which trial and error learning experiences and experimentation support the transfer outcome. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.