Determinants and Catalysts in Intrafirm Technology Transfer:  Learning From Case Studies

Giorgio Petronia; Chiara Verbano; Karen Venturini

doi:10.4067/S0718-27242015000100005

Authors

Giorgio Petronia Department of Economics and Technology, University of San Marino
Chiara Verbano Department of Management and Engineering, University of Padova
Karen Venturini Department of Economics and Technology, University of San Marino

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4067/S0718-27242015000100005

Abstract

The sharing of technological knowledge between firms or within the same firm is becoming essential to develop innovations. Although previous studies have investigated the determinants of technology transfer(TT), they have not pointed out the existence of catalysts, i.e. determinants that assume a more crucial role than others in making transfer effective, and which compensate for the weaknesses in other determinants. In this paper, from the analysis of transfer processes within three manufacturing multinationals, three catalysts have emerged: leadership by the top management, anticipated profitability from the adoption of the new technology, and the professionalism of centralized research and development staff.

Keywords:

Intrafirm
technology transfer
determinants
catalysts
multinational companies
case studies

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

AMBOS, C., Ambos, B. (2009). The impact of distance on knowledge transfer effectiveness in multinational corporations. Journal of International Management, 15(1), 1-14. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.intman.2008.02.002

AMESSE, F. Cohendet, P. (2001). Technology transfer revisited from the knowledge-based economy. Research Policy, 30, 1459-1478. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s00487333(01)00162-7.

AMESSE, F., Cohendet, P., Poirier, A., Chouinard, J. (2002). Economic effects and spin-offs in a small space economy: the case of Canada, Journal of Technology Transfer, 27(4), 339348. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/a:1020211606973.

ANTONELLI, C. (1985). The diffusion of an organizational innovation: international data telecommunications and multinational industrial firms. International Journal of Industrial Organization, 3(1), 109-118. doi:http://dx.doi. org/10.1016/0167-7187(85)90017-7.

ARAUJO, C. Teixeira, A.C. (2014). Determinants of International Technology Transfer: an Empirical Analysis of the Enterprise Europe Network, Journal of Technology Management & Innovation, 9(3), 120-134. doi:http://dx.doi. org/10.4067/s0718-27242014000300009.

BACH, L., Cohendet, P., Schenk, E. (2002). Technological transfer from the European space programs: a dynamic view and comparison with other R&D projects, Journal of Technology Transfer, 27(4), 321-338. doi:http://dx.doi. org/10.1023/a:1020259522902.

BOH,W .F., Nguyen,T .T., Xu,Y . (2013). Knowledge transfer across dissimilar cultures. Journal of Knowledge Management, 17(1) , 29-46. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/13673271311300723.

CHEN, J., Mahto, R., Lovvorn, Al S. (2013). Conceptual Framework of Knowledge Transfer within Multinational Corporations: A Strategic Orientation. International Journal of Management, 30(4), 322-339.

CUMMINGS, J. L., Teng, B. (2003). Transferring R&D Knowledge: The Key Factors Affecting Knowledge Transfer Success. Journal of Engineering and Technology Management, 20(1-2), 39-68. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s09234748(03)00004-3.

CARMELI, A., Atwater, L., Levi, A. (2011). How leadership enhances employees’ knowledge sharing: the intervening roles of relational and organizational identification. Journal of Technology Transfer, 36(3), 257-274. doi:http://dx.doi. org/10.1007/s10961-010-9154-y.

DANA, M. (2007). Knowledge Transfer in Multinational Corporations. Management International Review 47(4), 567593. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11575-007-0030-4.

DINUR, A., Hamilton, R.D., Inkpen, A.C. (2009). Critical context and international intrafirm best-practice transfers. Journal of International Management, 15(4), 432-446. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.intman.2008.07.003.

EISENHARDT, K.M. (1989). Building Theories from Case Study Research. The Academy of Management Review, 14(4), 532-550. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.5465/amr.1989.4308385.

FUENTELSAZ, L., Gómez, J., Polo, Y. (2003). Intrafirm diffusion of new technologies: an empirical application. Research Policy, 32, 533-551. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/ s0048-7333(02)00081-1.

GIBSON, D., Smilor, R. (1991). Key Variables in Technology Transfer: A Field-Study Based Empirical Analysis. Journal of Engineering and Technology Management, 8, 287-312. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0923-4748(91)90015-j.

GREINER, M.A., Franza, R.M. (2003). Barriers and Bridges for Successful Environmental Technology Transfer. The Journal of Technology Transfer, 28(2), 167-177. doi:http://dx.doi. org/10.1023/a:1022998617118.

HANSEN, M.T., Løvås, B. (2004). How do multinational companies leverage technological competencies? Moving from single to interdependent explanations. Strategic Management Journal, 25(89), 801-822. doi:http://dx.doi. org/10.1002/smj.413.

HEDLUND, G. (1994). A model of knowledge management and the N-form corporation. Strategic Management Journal, 15 (Issue Supplement S2), 73–90. doi:http://dx.doi. org/10.1002/smj.4250151006.

HOLLENSTEIN, H., Woerter, M. (2008). Inter- and intra-firm diffusion of technology: The example of E-commerce: An analysis based on Swiss firm-level data. Research Policy, 37 (3), 545-564. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.respol.2007.12.006.

KOTABE, M., Xavier, M., Hiroshi D. (2003). Gaining from vertical partnerships: Knowledge transfer, relationship duration and supplier performance improvement in the U.S. and Japanese automotive industries. Strategic Management Journal, 24(4), 293-316. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ smj.297.

LEE, J.Y., MacMillan, I.C., Choe, S. (2010). Technological knowledge transfer within chaebols after the 1997-98 crisis. Long Range Planning, 43, 585-610. doi:http://dx.doi. org/10.1016/j.lrp.2010.02.008.

MALIK, K. (2002). Aiding the Technology Manager: a conceptual model for intra-firm technology transfer. Technovation, 22(7), 427-436. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/ s0166-4972(01)00030-x.

MCADAM, R. (2000). Knowledge management as a catalyst for innovation within organizations: a qualitative study, Knowledge and Process Management, 7(4 ), 233. doi:http:// dx.doi.org/10.1002/1099-1441(200010/12)7:4<233::aidkpm94>3.0.co;2-f.

NARANJO -VALENCIA, J.C., Jiménez Jiménez, D., Sanz Valle, R. (2011). Innovation or imitation? The role of organizational culture. Management Decision, 49(1), 55-72. doi:http:// dx.doi.org/10.1108/00251741111094437.

O’SHEA, R.P., Allen, T.J., Chevalier, A., Roche, F. (2005). Entrepreneurial orientation, technology transfer and spin-off performance of U.S. universities. Research Policy, 34, 994– 1009. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.respol.2005.05.011.

PETRONI, G., Venturini, K., Santini, S. (2010). Space technology transfer policies: Learning from scientific satellite case studies. Space Policy, 26(1), 39-52. doi:http://dx.doi. org/10.1016/j.spacepol.2009.11.004.

ROGERS, E.M. (2005). Diffusion of Innovation (5th ed.), Free Press, New York.

SKARZAUSKIENE, A. (2010). Managing complexity: systems thinking as a catalyst of the organization performance. Measuring Business Excellence, 14(4), 49-64. doi:http:// dx.doi.org/10.1108/13683041011093758.

STONEMAN, P.L., Myung-Joong K. (1996). Technology Adoption and Firm Profitability. Economic Journal, 106, 952962. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/2235366.

SUNG, T.K., Gibson, D.V. (2000). Knowledge and Technology Transfer: Key Factors and Levels. Proceeding of 4th International Conference on Technology Policy and Innovation, 441-449.

URATA, S., Kawai, H. (2000). Intrafirm Technology Transfer by Japanese Manufacturing Firms in Asia, in: The Role of Foreign Direct Investment in East Asian Economic Development, NBER-EASE, Vol. 9, Takatoshui Ito and Anne O. Krieger editors, University of Chicago Press, available http://www. nber.org/chapters/c8495.

VENTURINI, K., Verbano C., Matsumoto M. (2013). Space Technology Transfer: spinoff cases from Japan. Space Policy, 29(1), 49-57. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j. spacepol.2012.11.010.

VERBANO C., Venturini K. (2012). Technology Transfer in the Italian Space Industry: Organizational Issues and Determinants. Management Research Review, 35(3/4), 272288. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/01409171211210163.