Hide and seek: the patterns, antecedents and underlying mechanisms of knowledge hiding by MNE expatriates
Abstract
Purpose
In the knowledge-based view, knowledge is a valuable source of enterprise success. Its transfer through expatriates is a key mechanism in the value proposition of outward foreign direct investment by multinational enterprises (MNEs). Unfortunately, individuals are not always willing to share what they know. Expatriates are crucial players in knowledge transfer, and their knowledge-hiding behavior can significantly inhibit enterprise success. This paper thus aims to explore the patterns and antecedents of knowledge hiding, as well as the underlying mechanisms in the hiding process by expatriates within MNEs.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper focuses on expatriates assigned to emerging economies in Chinese MNEs. It is based on a systematic qualitative analysis of semi-structured interviews with 24 expatriates from 16 companies across 25 countries.
Findings
Not all knowledge hiding should be perceived as a negative behavior, as moderate rationalized hiding can fulfil a positive purpose. Antecedents of expatriates’ knowledge hiding were identified within a framework covering knowledge, individual, organizational and cultural features. Three main scenarios of knowledge-hiding process were also disclosed to illustrate the internal generative logic.
Originality/value
The comprehensive analysis of knowledge hiding presented in this paper enriches the existing literature on cross-border knowledge management and provides novel theoretical insights to better promote knowledge transfer by expatriates. A practical framework of knowledge transfer within MNEs is developed to guide the management of expatriates, even a broader spectrum of knowledge workers.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to express their sincere thanks to the two anonymous reviewers for their constructive comments and help. They also would like to acknowledge Prof. Eric Tsui from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and Dr Lei Li from The University of Nottingham Ningbo China for their insightful suggestions on this research. Finally, this study was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC 72202111).
Citation
Zhi, R., Lockett, M. and Zhou, A.J. (2024), "Hide and seek: the patterns, antecedents and underlying mechanisms of knowledge hiding by MNE expatriates", Cross Cultural & Strategic Management, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/CCSM-09-2023-0188
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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