One size doesn't fit all: MNC knowledge sourcing in Bulgaria
Shasha introduces our paper about MNC knowledge sourcing in emerging economies and reflects on her time at Middlesex University
[Guest post by my former Middlesex colleague and co-author Shasha Zhao. In this post Shasha introduces our latest paper with Middlesex colleague Mariana Dodourova.]
Given the rise of emerging economies, I have always been intrigued by their dynamic and diverse nature. This includes their rapidly evolving - often along different trajectories - innovation environment and implications on sustainable development.
My recently published work with Middlesex co-authors has showcased novel findings on these two related topics. It includes a longitudinal case study in Asia Pacific Journal of Management and a special issue in Critical Perspectives on International Business. Most recently, we published a paper in International Business Review on the ambidextrous nature of MNC knowledge sourcing in emerging economies.
- Dodourova, M.; Zhao, S.; Harzing, A.-W. (2023) Ambidexterity in MNC knowledge sourcing in emerging economies: a microfoundational perspective, International Business Review, vol. 32, no. 2, 101854. Available online... - Publisher's version (free access) - Related blog post
Story in the paper
Innovation performance of multinational corporations (MNCs) derives from access to and utilization of a combination of explorative and exploitative knowledge across heterogeneous settings. These settings increasingly encompass flagship industries in emerging economies. There is limited research, however, that scrutinizes the processes of knowledge sourcing within such dynamic host environments, taking into account MNCs’ differing location.
We draw on the concept of ambidexterity – the combination of exploration and exploitation – and the microfoundations approach to study eleven MNCs in the Bulgarian software development industry by focusing on their local R&D projects. We extend the explanatory capacity of ambidexterity at the micro level and clarify the relationship between exploration and exploitation by identifying four types of ambidexterity: global knowledge differentiator, global-local knowledge integrator, emerging local-global integrator, and local knowledge integrator. Our typology (see the above figure) is underpinned by three specific dimensions of R&D capabilities: technical know-how, scope of expertise, and market potential.
Story about the paper
When writing this blogpost, a slightly mixed feeling came over me. It is probably because when I think about the history and background of this paper – where it all started and ended – it reminds me of my time at Middlesex University London. While many outside the UK might not be familiar with the University, to me it is a very special place. It is the place which I call "the womb of my research programme". It was the place where I found my new research passion, a move away from my earlier interest in headquarter-subsidiary relationship during my PhD time. More importantly, it was the place that offered me everything I needed to develop and conduct an interesting research programme that gives me pride.
There were so many people that made this happen for me but if I must name one person, without a doubt it would be Anne-Wil Harzing. She was the person that connected Mariana (our co-author) and me, and the three of us decided to work on this project together to bring it to fruition. After some hard groundwork and being rejected by two journals, we realized that the revised paper was far more suited to the Special Issue in International Business Review. The outcome confirmed our decision. After a few months, our paper was published. This just shows rejections are not "scary", they are an opportunity to learn and improve, and more crucially, that the fit between a paper and a journal (or special issue) is really important.
This is the last project that I worked on before my time ended at Middlesex University, but I am sure this will not be the last one with "old friends".
Related blogposts
- Do countries specialise in particular research areas?
- R&D Internationalization to China: MNEs new favourite destination
- The rise of global inequality and multinational enterprises
- MNC entry mode: it is not just about choice!
- Testing key IB typologies: Bartlett & Ghoshal and Gupta & Govindarajan
- Should we distance ourselves from the cultural distance concept?
- New research monograph: Managing expatriates in China
Copyright © 2023 Shasha Zhao. All rights reserved. Page last modified on Wed 22 Feb 2023 19:25
Dr Zhao is Associate Professor (Senior Lecturer) of International Business and Innovation in the Department of Strategy and International Business, Surrey University Business School. She is an Associate of Centre for International Business and Development at Sussex University, UK. Her research focuses on global innovation strategy and knowledge management of multinationals in and from emerging economies, and impact on sustainable development. She is Associate Editor of Asian Business and Management and Senior Editor of European Journal of International Management and an active editorial member of Management International Review. She has published in many IB and Management journals, including International Business Review, Journal of World Business, Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Human Resource Management Journal, International Marketing Review, Thunderbird International Business Review, and Critical Perspectives on International Business. Her lead-authored paper on multinational R&D in emerging Asia won the Best Paper Award at Euro-Asia Management Studies Association (EAMSA) Annual Meeting, 2019. She is Co-Founder and Co-Chair of Academy of International Business Sustainability Shared Interest Group.
