Using a theoretical framework on technology transfer research for MNCs

The topic of technology transfer research for multinational national corporations (MNC) covers a number of management concepts and concerns. When investigating this topic area, it is easy to get loss in a sea of topic details and related management theories. In the process of preparing for my lecture, I draft a diagram, mainly based on Phene and Almeida (2003), to capture the main elements involved in their discussion. The diagram is as follows:

This diagram presents a learning network view of an MNC; moreover, technology transfer and sharing are conducted via various formal and informal links within the MNC and between the MNC with its external environments (including the environment in the MNC's home country and the host country environments facing the MNC's subsidiaries.)

Mainly from the work on Phene and Almedia (2003), I can identify a number of management theories that are relevant to study MNC's technology transfer. These concepts are:
(i) path dependence (re: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Path_dependence),
(ii) local search in evolutionary theory (re: http://www.dime-eu.org/files/active/0/collab_review-nov.09-1.pdf) ,
(iii) geographical localization of knowledge (re: http://www.nber.org/papers/w3993.pdf), [could also be related to Porter's Diamond Model]
(iv) absorptive capacity (re: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absorptive_capacity),
(v) regional/ national innovation systems (re: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_innovation_system),  and
(vi) knowledge management (re: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knowledge_management).

I now locate these concepts into the diagram above to develop a refined theoretical framework to study technology transfer in MNCs. The diagram is as follows:

This theoretical framework synthesizes the various management theories that are relevant for MNC's technology transfer research. You can of course synthesize other management theories into this framewok as you see fit. To apply this framework, you need to decide on your research objective, such as to find out how technology transfer management can enhance the sustainable competitive advantage of an MNC or how an MNC's technology transfer management can affect its major stakeholders.

Using this theoretical framework, you can now conduct your literature review, and subsequently, your research work in an organized way and with a clear sense of direction. As a result, you will not suffer much from information overload in your research work.

References

1. Phene, A. and Almeida, P. (2003) "How do firms evolve? The patterns of technological evolution of semiconductor subsidiaries", International Business Review, 12, pp. 349-367.
2. Park, S.J. and Horn, S. (editors) Asia and Europe in the New Global System: Intercultural Cooperation and Competition Scenarios, Plagrave. [Especially on Chapters 5 and 13]