Knowledge transfer within MNC hotel subsidiaries: An absorptive capacity perspective

This study explores the process of transferring knowledge from multinational-corporation (MNC) hotels to their subsidiaries to advance company strategies. In particular, it examines critical factors that can forestall knowledge transfer through the lens of absorptive capacity. This study revisits the four dimensions of absorptive capacity (acquisition, assimilation, transformation, and exploitation) to understand the challenges involved in transferring knowledge from MNCs to subsidiaries. We argue that several fundamental aspects of the process influence absorptive capacity, potentially interfering with knowledge transfer. Using a qualitative approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with four different types of actors (expatriate and local managers, a regional executive, and a policymaker). The results reveal that competencies (e.g. education) regulate the process of acquiring knowledge, while insufficient experience (technical skills and expertise) and historical background (explicitly related to the consequences of colonisation, including a local inferiority complex) affect the assimilation and transformation of knowledge. Next, limited opportunities, notably a reluctance to hire local managers and local managers with uneven qualifications, affect transformation and exploitation. Finally, cultural discord (e.g. recognising cultural differences, such as ethnic groups, religion, and customs) and communication barriers (e.g. verbal and non-verbal communications) influence the acquisition, assimilation, and transformation process, which, in the end, arbitrate knowledge exploitation. The findings suggest that the country's historical experience has considerable ramifications for absorptive capacity.     

险资入市促进了公司创新吗

随着国家政策的放开,保险公司持股上市企业的现象剧增,保险机构投资者逐渐成为中国资本市场中的重要角色,对企业经营决策发挥了重大作用。在此背景下,本文考察了险资入市对企业创新活动的影响。研究发现:一方面,保险机构投资者持股公司的研发投入和专利产出更少;另一方面,保险机构投资者持股公司的CEO强制变更概率更高,经营业绩更差。本文还讨论了保险公司影响企业创新背后的理论机理。本文研究表明,险资持股带来了过度监督效应,抑制了企业创新。本文有助于市场加深对保险机构的认识,丰富企业创新的相关研究,为改善公司治理提供建议。保险机构投资者是中国资本市场改革的重要力量,政府监管部门需合理引导保险机构投资者,使其发挥积极的外部治理作用。     

Can upgrading information infrastructure improve the innovation ability of companies? Empirical evidence from China

The development of information technology has become a new driving force for companies' innovation. Upgrading the information infrastructure lays a foundation for companies to use information technology to innovate; therefore, this study examines the impact of information infrastructure upgrading on companies' innovation ability and the intermediate mechanism. Using a sample of China's listed companies of A-share from 2011 to 2018, this study used the staggered difference-in-difference method to investigate the impact of information infrastructure upgrading on innovation input, innovation output and quality. The results show that upgrading information infrastructure has a ‘double-edged sword’ effect on the innovation ability of companies. Companies' innovation input and output significantly increase, but innovation quality decreases. Additionally, further analysis indicates that financial constraints and managerial myopia are intermediary mechanisms for this effect. Our research results provide theoretical and empirical evidence for companies to enhance their innovation ability.