“External Knowledge Sourcing and Firm Performance in an Emerging Economy: Whom to Learn From?” by Dr. Chen Xiaoyun
IIM SEMINAR
Speaker:
Dr. Chen Xiaoyun
Associate Professor
Department of Management and Marketing
Faculty of Business Administration
University of Macau
Abstract:
The study investigates how external knowledge sourcing helps firms to stay competitive in today’s economy. It first examines how different contents of external knowledge sourcing (technological vs. administrative knowledge) affect firm performance. Then it postulates that organizational capabilities mediate the effects of external knowledge sourcing and that such mediation is moderated by inter-institutional gaps between the learner and the target firm. Results from a survey of 183 firms show that both technological and administrative knowledge sourcing contribute to firm performance, and organizational capabilities fully mediate their influence on firm performance. The link between technological knowledge sourcing and technological capability is strengthened by value gaps, whereas the link between administrative learning and administrative capability is weakened by core-task and value gaps.
