Earticle

다국적 기업(MNE)의 자회사 혁신 성과는 경쟁이 치열해지는 국제 환경에서 MNE의 생존과 발전에 있어서 중요하다. 지식경영의 관 점에서 자회사 혁신성과를 어떻게 추진할 것인가 하는 문제가 중요한 이슈가 되고 있다. 그러나 선행연구는 지식이질성이 자회사 혁신 성과에 미치는 영향의 메커니즘을 체계적으로 밝히지 않고 있다. 따라서 지식흡수능력과 지식결합능력의 조절 역할에 초점을 맞추어 내부지식이절성 (IKH)과 외부지식이절성 (EKH)가 자회사 혁신 성과에 미치는 영향을 검토하였다. 중국 내 343개 자회사를 대상으로 현장조사를 실시한 결과, IKH는 자회사 혁신성과, EKH는 자회사 혁신성과와 긍정적인 관련성이 있는 것으로 나타났다. 또한, 본 연구 결과는 지식흡수능력이 IKH와 EKH의 자회사 혁신성과에 미치는 영향을 강화시켜 지식흡수능력이 높을수록 IKH와 EKH의 관계는 물 론 자회사 혁신성과도 강화된다는 것을 보여주었다. 지식결합능력 역시 IKH와 EKH와 자회사 혁신성과의 관계를 긍정적으로 조절하 여 지식결합능력이 높을수록 IKH와 EKH의 관계는 물론 자회사 혁신성과도 강화된다는 것을 알 수 있다. 본 연구의 이론적, 경영적 시 사점에 대해 논의한다.

The innovation performance of subsidiaries of a multinational enterprise (MNE) is the key of the MNE's survival and development in the increasingly competitive international environment. The issue of how to promote subsidiary innovation performance from the perspective of knowledge management is becoming an important issue. However, studies do not systematically reveal the mechanisms of the effects of knowledge heterogeneity on subsidiary innovation performance. Thus, based on knowledge-based view, absorptive capability theory and dynamic capability theory, we investigated the impact of internal knowledge heterogeneity (IKH) and external knowledge heterogeneity (EKH) on subsidiary innovation performance by focusing on moderating roles of the knowledge absorptive capability and knowledge combination capability. The results of a field survey of 343 subsidiaries in China indicate that IKH is positively related to subsidiary innovation performance and EKH is positively related to subsidiary innovation performance. Besides, the findings provide that knowledge absorptive capability strengthens the effects of IKH and EKH on subsidiary innovation performance, such that the higher the knowledge absorptive capability, the stronger the relationships between IKH and EKH as well as subsidiary innovation performance. Knowledge combination capability also positively moderates the relationships between IKH and EKH and subsidiary innovation performance, such that the higher the knowledge combination capability, the stronger the relationships between IKH and EKH as well as subsidiary innovation performance. Theoretical and managerial implications of this study are discussed.

New knowledge is created through the dynamic interaction of knowledge that depends largely on a social context within the organization. Social processes influence the nature of knowledge and learning. This paper is rooted in the concept of social capital. Social capital theory emphasizes the importance of social relationship. Using social capital theory, this paper suggests three factors that must be satisfied for the development of knowledge combinative capability. The first factor is that the opportunity exists to make the exchange or combination of knowledge. The second factor is that people is motivated for the creation of new knowledge. The third factor is that people must share the common knowledge. This paper examines the change case of KIPO (Korean Intellectual Property Office). This case provides evidence that the three factors can develop social relationship, and build knowledge combinative capability. The man finding from this research is that social factors play an important part in the creation of knowledge, and processes of knowledge exchange and combination heavily rely upon social patterns, practices and processes in ways which emphasize the value and importance of collective action and knowledge sharing. This research may have several implications for the development of the knowledge creation mechanisms.