Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Gratitude, nostalgia and what now? Knowledge acquisition and learning a decade later

  • Commentary
  • Published:
Journal of International Business Studies Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

We look at the development of absorptive capacity, organizational learning and IJV research literatures since 1996, using our 1996 JIBS paper as our ‘centering point’. Taking stock of the timing and patterns of citations to this paper opened up a unique window across time, venues and topics. This permitted us to more clearly position the paper vis-à-vis the contemporary corpus of the different literatures that provided the original context and impetus for us in the early 1990s. The paper has been embraced and carried forward by the burgeoning community of international business (IB) scholars on transitional economies and on IJVs. Although the Hungarian setting circa 1989–early 1990s was one we tended to view as a context to address and test theory-based issues and assumptions from a broader management literature, most indications of ‘outward’ diffusion of our ideas beyond the IB community have been recent. Indeed, over half the citations have occurred after 2003. We project our take on the current landscape toward the future, providing suggestions about research opportunities.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Figure 1

Notes

  1. I must, however, confess that the ‘positive introspection’ was preceded in my case by the temporal tap on the shoulder reminding me that a decade passes by very quickly! (JS)

*Denotes citation listed in Social Science Citation Index

  • Abrahamson, E. (1991) ‘Managerial fads and fashions: the diffusion and rejection of innovations’, Academy of Management Review 16 (3): 586–612.

    Google Scholar 

  • Abrahamson, E. and Fairchild, G. (1999) ‘Management fashion: lifecycles, triggers, and collective learning processes’, Administrative Science Quarterly 44 (4): 708–740.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Arend, R.J. and Seale, D.A. (2005) ‘Modeling alliance activity: an iterated prisoners’ dilemma with exit option’, Strategic Management Journal 26 (11): 1057–1074.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Barden, J.Q., Steensma, H.K. and Lyles, M.A. (2005) ‘The influence of parent control structure on parent conflict in Vietnamese International joint ventures: an organizational justice-based contingency approach’, Journal of International Business Studies 36 (2): 156–174.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Baughn, C.C., Denekamp, J.G., Stevens, J.H. and Osborn, R.N. (1997) ‘Protecting intellectual capital in international alliances’, Journal of World Business 32 (2): 103–117.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Beamish, P. and Berdrow, I. (2003) ‘Learning from IJVs: the unintended outcome’, Long Range Planning 36 (3): 285–303.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Brown, J.S. and Duguid, P. (2001) ‘Knowledge and organization: a social-practice perspective’, Organization Science 12 (2): 198–213.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Chalos, P. and O’Connor, N.G. (2004) ‘Determinants of the use of various control mechanisms in US-Chinese Joint Ventures’, Accounting Organizations and Society 29 (7): 591–608.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, W.M. and Leventhal, D.A. (1990) ‘Absorptive capacity: a new perspective on learning and innovation’, Administrative Science Quarterly 35 (1): 128–152.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Crane, D. (1972) Invisible Colleges: Diffusion of Knowledge in Scientific Communities, University of Chicago Press: Chicago.

    Google Scholar 

  • *Cui, A.S., Griffith, D.A., Cavusgil, S.J. and Dabic, M. (2006) ‘The influence of market and cultural environmental factors on technology transfer between foreign MNCs and local subsidiaries: a Croatian illustration’, Journal of World Business 41 (2): 100–111.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Cummings, J.L. and Teng, B.S. (2003) ‘Transferring R&D knowledge: the key factors affecting knowledge transfer success’, Journal of Engineering and Technology Management 20 (1–2): 39–68.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • David, R.J. and Han, S.-K. (2004) ‘A systematic assessment of the empirical support for transaction cost economics’, Strategic Management Journal 25 (1): 39–58.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Davis, M.S. (1971) ‘That's interesting!’, Philosophy of Social Science 1 (3): 309–344.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dhanaraj, C., Lyles, M.A., Steensma, H.K. and Tihanyi, L. (2004) ‘Managing tacit and explicit knowledge transfer in IJVs: the role of relational embeddedness and the impact on performance’, Journal of International Business 35 (5): 428–442.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Doh, J.P. (2000) ‘Entrepreneurial privatization strategies: order of entry and local partner collaboration as sources of competitive advantage’, Academy of Management Review 25 (3): 551–571.

    Google Scholar 

  • Doz, Y. (1996) ‘The evolution of cooperation in strategic alliances: initial conditions or learning processes’, Strategic Management Journal 17 (Summer): 55–83.

    Google Scholar 

  • *Easterby-Smith, M., Antonacopoulou, E., Simm, D. and Lyles, M. (2004) ‘Constructing contributions to organizational learning: Argyris and the next generation’, Management Learning 35 (4): 371–380.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Filatotchev, I., Wright, M., Uhlenbruk, K., Tihanyi, L. and Hoskisson, R.E. (2003) ‘Governance, organizational capabilities, and restructuring in transition economies’, Journal of World Business 38 (4): 331–347.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Floyd, S.W. and Lane, P.J. (2000) ‘Strategizing throughout the organization: managing role conflict in strategic renewal’, Academy of Management Review 25 (1): 154–177.

    Google Scholar 

  • *Griffith, D.A., Zeybek, A.Y. and O’Brien, M. (2001) ‘Knowledge transfer as a means for relationship development: a Kazakhstan-Foreign International joint venture illustration’, Journal of International Marketing 9 (2): 1–18.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Haas, M.R. (2006) ‘Acquiring and applying knowledge in transnational teams: the roles of cosmopolitans and locals’, Organization Science 17 (3): 367–384.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hamel, G. (1991) ‘Competition for competence and inter-partner learning within international strategic alliances’, Strategic Management Journal 12 (Summer): 83–103.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hamel, G., Doz, Y. and Prahalad, C.K. (1989) ‘Collaborate with your competitors – and win’, Harvard Business Review 67 (1): 133–145.

    Google Scholar 

  • *Hayton, J.C. and Zahra, S.A. (2005) ‘Venture team human capital and absorptive capacity in high technology new ventures’, International Journal of Technology Management 31 (3–4): 256–274.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Inkpen, A.C. and Pien, W. (2006) ‘An examination of collaboration and knowledge transfer: China-Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park’, Journal of Management Studies 43 (4): 779–811.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Ireland, R.D., Hitt, M.A. and Vaidyanath, D. (2002) ‘Alliance management as a source of competitive advantage’, Journal of Management 28 (3): 413–446.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Isobe, T., Makino, S. and Montgomery, D.B. (2000) ‘Resource commitment, entry timing, and market performance of foreign direct investments in emerging economies: the case of Japanese International Joint Ventures in China’, Academy of Management Journal 43 (3): 468–484.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Kandemir, D. and Hult, G.T.M. (2005) ‘A conceptualization of an organizational learning culture in international joint ventures’, Industrial Marketing Management 34 (5): 430–439.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Kriauciunas, A. and Kale, P. (2006) ‘The impact of socialist imprinting and search on resource change: a study of firms in Lithuania’, Strategic Management Journal 27 (7): 659–679.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Kuivalainen, O., Sundqvist, S., Puumalainen, K. and Cadogan, J.W. (2004) ‘The effect of environmental turbulence and leader characteristics on international performance: are knowledge-based firms different?’ Canadian Journal of Administrative Sciences (Revue Canadienne des Sciences de l’Administration) 21 (1): 35–50.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lane, H.W. and Beamish, P.W. (1990) ‘Cross-cultural cooperative behavior in joint ventures in LCDs’, Management International Review 30 (Special): 87–102.

    Google Scholar 

  • *Lane, P.J., Salk, J.E. and Lyles, M.A. (2001) ‘Absorptive capacity, learning, and performance in international joint ventures’, Strategic Management Journal 22 (12): 1139–1161.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Lu, J.W. and Xu, D. (2006) ‘Growth and survival of international joint ventures: an external-internal legitimacy perspective’, Journal of Management 32 (3): 426–448.

    Google Scholar 

  • *Luo, Y.D. and Peng, M.W. (1999) ‘Learning to compete in a transition economy: experience, environment, and performance’, Journal of International Business Studies 30 (2): 269–295.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lyles, M.A. (1988) ‘Learning among joint venture sophisticated firms’, Management International Review 28: 85–98.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lyles, M.A. and Salk, J.E. (1996) ‘Knowledge acquisition from foreign parents in international joint ventures: an empirical examination in the Hungarian context’, Journal of International Business Studies 27 (5): 877–904.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lyles, M.A. and Schwenk, C.R. (1992) ‘Top management, strategy and organizational knowledge structures’, Journal of Management Studies 29 (2): 155–174.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Makino, S. and Beamish, P.W. (1998) ‘Performance and survival of joint ventures with non-conventional ownership structures’, Journal of International Business Studies 29 (4): 797–818.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Makino, S., Isobe, T. and Chan, C.M. (2004) ‘Does country matter?’ Strategic Management Journal 25 (10): 1027–1043.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *McCarthy, D.J. and Puffer, S.M. (2003) ‘Corporate governance in Russia: a framework for analysis’, Journal of World Business 38 (4): 397–415.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Merton, R.K. (1965) On the Shoulder of Giants, The Free Press: New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • *Meyer, K.E. (2004) ‘Perspectives on multinational enterprises in emerging economies’, Journal of International Business Studies 35 (4): 259–276.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Meyer, K.E. and Lieb-Doczy, E. (2003) ‘Post-acquisition restructuring as evolutionary process’, Journal of Management Studies 40 (2): 459–482.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Meyer, K.E. and Peng, M.W. (2005) ‘Probing theoretically into central and Eastern Europe: transactions, resources, and institutions’, Journal of International Business Studies 36 (6): 600–621.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Minbaeva, D., Pedersen, T., Bjorkman, I., Fey, C.F. and Park, H.J. (2003) ‘MNC knowledge transfer, subsidiary absorptive capacity, and HRM’, Journal of International Business Studies 34 (6): 586–599.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Molina, L.M., Montes, F.J.L. and Fuentes, M.D.F. (2004) ‘TQM and ISO 9000 effects on knowledge transferability and knowledge transfers’, Total Quality Management and Business Excellence 15 (7): 1001–1015.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Moller, K. and Svahn, S. (2006) ‘Role of knowledge in value creation in business nets’, Journal of Management Studies 43 (5): 985–1007.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Motwani, J., Babbar, S. and Prasad, S. (2001) ‘Operations management in transitional countries’, International Journal of Technology Management 21 (5–6): 586–603.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Murray, J.Y. and Chao, M.C.H. (2005) ‘A cross-team framework of international knowledge acquisition on new product development capabilities and new product market performance’, Journal of International Marketing 13 (3): 54–78.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Muthusamy, S.K. and White, M.A. (2005) ‘Learning and knowledge transfer in strategic alliances: a social exchange view’, Organization Studies 26 (3): 415–441.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Muthusamy, S.K. and White, M.A. (2006) ‘Does power sharing matter? The role of power and influence in alliance performance’, Journal of Business Research 59 (7): 811–819.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Nielsen, B.B. (2005) ‘The role of knowledge embeddedness in the creation of synergies in strategic alliances’, Journal of Business Research 58 (9): 1194–1204.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Norman, P.M. (2004) ‘Knowledge acquisition, knowledge loss, and satisfaction in high technology alliances’, Journal of Business Research 57 (6): 610–619.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Organization Science: Special Edition (1990) 1 (3).

  • Parkhe, A. (1993) ‘“Messy” research, methodological predispositions, and theory development in international joint ventures’, Academy of Management Review 18 (2): 227–268.

    Google Scholar 

  • *Peng, M.W. (2001) ‘The resource-based view and international business’, Journal of Management 27 (6): 803–829.

    Google Scholar 

  • *Peng, M.W. (2003) ‘Institutional transitions and strategic choices’, Academy of Management Review 28 (2): 275–296.

    Google Scholar 

  • *Poon, J.M.L., Ainuddin, R.A. and Junit, S.H. (2006) ‘Effects of self-concept traits and entrepreneurial orientation on firm performance’, International Small Business Journal 24 (1): 61–82.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Prasad, S. and Babbar, S. (2000) ‘International operations management research’, Journal of Operations Management 18 (2): 209–247.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Reuer, J.J. and Tong, T.W. (2005) ‘Real options in international joint ventures’, Journal of Management 31 (3): 403–423.

    Google Scholar 

  • *Robson, M.J. and Dunk, M.A.J. (1999) ‘Developing a Pan-European co-marketing alliance: the case of BP-Mobil’, International Marketing Review 16 (2–3): 216–230.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Robson, M.J. and Katsikeas, C.S. (2005) ‘International strategic alliance relationships within the foreign investment decision process’, International Marketing Review 22 (4): 399–419.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Robson, M.J., Spyropoulou, S. and Al-Khalifa, A.B.K. (2006) ‘Anxiety of dependency in international joint ventures? An empirical study of drivers and consequences of relationship insecurity’, Industrial Marketing Management 35 (5): 556–566.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Salk, J.E. (1996) ‘Partners and other strangers: cultural boundaries and cross-cultural encounters in international joint venture teams’, International Studies of Management and Organization 26 (4): 48–72.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Salk, J.E. and Shenkar, O. (2001) ‘Social identities in an international joint venture: an exploratory case study’, Organization Science 12 (2): 161–178.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Sarker, S., Nicholson, D.B. and Joshi, K.D. (2005) ‘Knowledge transfer in virtual systems development teams: an exploratory study of four key enablers’, IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication 48 (2): 201–218.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shenkar, O. (2004) ‘One more time: international business in a global economy’, Journal of International Business Studies 35 (2): 161–171.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Shrader, R.C. (2001) ‘Collaboration and performance in foreign markets: the case of young high-technology manufacturing firms’, Academy of Management Journal 44 (1): 45–60.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Simonin, B.L. (1999a) ‘Transfer of marketing know-how in international strategic alliances: an empirical investigation of the role and antecedents of knowledge ambiguity’, Journal of International Business Studies 30 (3): 463–490.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Simonin, B.L. (1999b) ‘Ambiguity and the process of knowledge transfer in strategic alliances’, Strategic Management Journal 20 (7): 595–623.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Simonin, B.L. (2004) ‘An empirical investigation of the process of knowledge transfer in international strategic alliances’, Journal of International Business Studies 35 (5): 407–427.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Sinani, E. and Meyer, K.E. (2004) ‘Spillovers of technology transfer from FDI: the case of Estonia’, Journal of Comparative Economics 32 (3): 445–466.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Sirmon, D.G. and Lane, P.J. (2004) ‘A model of cultural differences and international alliance performance’, Journal of International Business Studies 35 (4): 306–319.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Steensma, H.K. and Lyles, M.A. (2000) ‘Explaining IJV survival in a transitional economy through social exchange and knowledge-based perspectives’, Strategic Management Journal 21 (8): 831–851.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Steensma, H.K., Tihanyi, L., Lyles, M.A. and Dhanaraj, C. (2005) ‘The evolving value of foreign partnerships in transitioning economies’, Academy of Management Journal 48 (2): 213–235.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Toyne, B. and Nigh, D. (1997) ‘The Conceptual Domain of International Business Inquiry’, in B. Toyne and D. Nigh (eds.) International Business: An Emerging Vision, USC Press: Columbia, pp: 27–110.

    Google Scholar 

  • *Tsang, E.W.K. (2002) ‘Acquiring knowledge by foreign partners from international joint ventures in a transition economy: learning-by-doing and learning myopia’, Strategic Management Journal 23 (9): 835–854.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Tsang, E.W.K., Nguyen, D.T. and Erramilli, M.K. (2004) ‘Knowledge acquisition and performance of international joint ventures in the transition economy of Vietnam’, Journal of International Marketing 12 (2): 82–103.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Uhlenbruck, K., Meyer, K.E. and Hitt, M.A. (2003) ‘Organizational transformation in transition economies: resource-based and organizational learning perspectives’, Journal of Management Studies 40 (2): 257–282.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Wang, P., Tong, T.W. and Koh, C.P. (2004) ‘An integrated model of knowledge transfer from MNC parent to China subsidiary’, Journal of World Business 39 (2): 168–182.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Werner, S. (2002) ‘Recent developments in international management research: a review of 20 top management journals’, Journal of Management 28 (3): 277–305.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Wong, P.L.K. and Ellis, P. (2002) ‘Social ties and partner identification in sino-hong kong international joint ventures’, Journal of International Business Studies 33 (2): 267–289.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Yan, Y. and Child, J. (2002) ‘An analysis of strategic determinants, learning and decision-making in Sino-British joint ventures’, British Journal of Management 13 (2): 109–122.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Yeheskel, O., Shenkar, O., Fiegenbaum, A. and Cohen, E. (2001) ‘Cooperative wealth creation: strategic alliances in Israeli medical-technology ventures’, Academy of Management Executive 15 (1): 16–24.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Zhang, C., Cavusgil, S.T. and Roath, A.S. (2003) ‘Manufacturer governance of foreign distributor relationships: do relational norms enhance competitiveness in the export market?’ Journal of International Business Studies 34 (6): 550–566.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Zhao, Z., Anand, J. and Mitchell, W. (2005) ‘A dual networks perspective on inter-organizational transfer of R&D capabilities: international joint ventures in the Chinese automotive industry’, Journal of Management Studies 42 (1): 127–160.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • *Zhou, Y.J. (2004) ‘An empirical study of shop floor tacit knowledge acquisition in Chinese manufacturing enterprises’, International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics 34 (4): 249–261.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

In additional to our current home institutions, we would like to acknowledge the support of the National Science Foundation, the ESSEC Business School, and the Fuqua School of Business. Erin Pleggenkuhle-Miles assisted us with the manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Texas at Dallas, School of Management, Richardson, USA

    Jane Salk

  2. Indiana University Kelley School of Business, Indianapolis, USA

    Marjorie A Lyles

Authors
  1. Jane Salk
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Marjorie A Lyles
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jane Salk.

Additional information

Accepted by Arie Y Lewin, Editor-in-chief. This paper has been with the authors for two revisions.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Salk, J., Lyles, M. Gratitude, nostalgia and what now? Knowledge acquisition and learning a decade later. J Int Bus Stud 38, 19–26 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1057/palgrave.jibs.8400246

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/palgrave.jibs.8400246

Keywords

Search

Navigation