'Inpatriation' for knowledge-transfer within Japanese multinational corporations. Issue 4 (8th August 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Murakami, Yukiko
• Is Part Of: Asia Pacific business review. Volume 23:Issue 4(2017)
• Page Start: 576
• Page End: 595
• Publication Date: 2017-08-08
• Subjects: Asia -- inpatriation -- gravity model -- Japan -- knowledge-transfer -- R&D; Asia -- Commerce -- Periodicals; 338.095
• DOI: 10.1080/13602381.2017.1338598
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1360-2381

Abstract

Abstract: This article uses knowledge management theory and the gravity model to analyse the determinants of 'inpatriation' for knowledge-transfer within multinational corporations (MNCs) and the differences in their effects based on the region of the subsidiary's host country. The empirical analysis uses data collected through a survey of the overseas subsidiaries of Japanese MNCs and finds that factors related to both the countries and the individual MNCs affect inpatriation, with the former factors having a stronger influence than the latter. With regard to the country factors, a smaller geographic distance and a larger cultural distance between the home and host countries and a lower GDP per capita in the subsidiary's host country increase inpatriation. Regarding the individual MNC factors, a larger subsidiary R&D budget, a larger parent firm and the execution of collaborative R&D projects between a subsidiary and its parent firm increase inpatriation. Additionally, this study finds that in Asia, geographic closeness and low GDP per capita facilitate inpatriation, whereas a relatively small R&D budget and rare collaborative R&D projects with Japan decrease inpatriation. More subsidiaries in Asia send inpatriates to Japan than do subsidiaries in other regions because these positive factors are much stronger than these negative factors.