Managing organizational knowledge dynamics
: how can MNC’s leverage knowledge dynamics to facilitate internationalization processes and further business development?

  • Marina Bittencourt Vasconcelos Magro (Student)

Student thesis: Master's Thesis

Abstract

This thesis sought to provide insight into how MNC’s leverage knowledge sharing dynamics for business improvement, by looking into the mechanisms of sharing, acquiring and retaining knowledge. This investigation also engendered a thorough appreciation of the factors obstructing knowledge exchange and the characteristics rendering knowledge sharing a strategically valuable process during international expansions and business developments. To investigate the research questions, a qualitative, single case-study methodology was employed, building upon empirical data obtained from a total of 16 semi-structured and 7 indepth interviews, as well as both internal and external contextual data on the Jerónimo Martins – the largest Portuguese international organization, operating in the Food Distribution, Manufacturing and Services sectors. The data collected was treated through the coding system, yielding an organized and exploitable structure for dataset analysis. This thesis argues that the likelihood of MNCs improving their internationalization processes and enhance business development, by leveraging knowledge sharing, is greater when the organization is able to effectively and, in an equitable way, transfer, acquire and retain knowledge across its internal network. This is particularly important for organizations that aim to approach new markets through local adaptation. Furthermore, this can only be successfully materialized through the reinforcing of both formal and informal organizational practices, which align cooperation, communication, ability, and motivation. This investigation’s originality lies in its fruitful endeavor to fill the gap in the literature concerning mostly the overlap in the fields of knowledge and internationalization, producing thus a combined integration of concepts for posterior, purposeful academic and managerial application.
Date of Award18 Oct 2016
Original languageEnglish
Awarding Institution
  • Universidade Católica Portuguesa
SupervisorLaure Leglise (Supervisor)

Keywords

  • Internationalization
  • Knowledge sharing
  • Knowledge management
  • Knowledge dynamics
  • Strategic business development

Designation

  • Mestrado em Gestão: Programa Internacional

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