Knowledge acquisition from foreign parents in international joint ventures: An empirical study in Vietnam

Drawing on alliance learning and absorptive capacity literatures, we propose a model-linking absorptive capacity, knowledge acquisition, and performance. The model is tested in a sample of 173 international joint ventures (IJVs) in Vietnam. The results show that all three components of absorptive capacity contributed substantially to the level of knowledge acquisition reported by IJVs. Critical factors predicting knowledge acquisition included investment in training, employees’ ability to learn, and joint participation. Knowledge acquisition, especially the acquisition of tacit knowledge, was found to contribute significantly to IJV performance. Our model generally supports existing theories regarding the relationship between absorptive capacity and knowledge acquisition, as well as between knowledge acquisition and performance.