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Considers firms’ management of knowledge creation, diffusion and implementation. In particular, examines the diffusion link in this chain and presents a new framework where an ocean of ideas flows much like an ocean current. Through its past innovative activity and its employees’ professional experiences, a firm is caught up in a “technology current”. The degree of knowledge diffusion across organizations depends on encouraging and thwarting this current’s forces. The framework suggests that the ease of knowledge diffusion depends on the degree of similarity in organizations’ technical prowess. As an example, knowledge flows in the semiconductor industry are examined through citations to Intel’s journal articles. The empirical findings show that Intel’s knowledge, codified in these articles, diffuses more quickly to organizations in Western Europe and Japan than those in Taiwan and Korea. This pattern coincides with geographic market leadership and suggests that knowledge networks exist across countries.

This paper analyzes five characteristics associated with the overall decision‐making process that are necessary to achieve a high degree of perceived procedural justice within four strategic contexts of focal subsidiaries. Strategic contexts are based on the role of subsidiaries as defined by the flow of knowledge between these subsidiaries and the global network of MNCs. Propositions are developed that relate the five characteristics, the four strategic contexts, and high perceived procedural justice. The propositions represent a template for managers and researchers interested in the successful implementation of global strategic decisions and the improvement of the performance of individual subsidiaries as well as the global competitiveness of multinational corporations.

This case describes the innovations of a medical practitioner over six decades of practice. It provides an opportunity to the participants to analyse the motivation, processes, constraints and outcomes or innovating efforts of individuals as opposed to corporates. During his career Dr. Shah has experimented with novel methods of treatment, applications of known solutions and new product formulations. At the fag end of his career Dr. Shah is wondering whether the innovating efforts were worth their white.