BEYOND THE TECHNOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF INTERCULTURAL KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER: THE ROLE OF INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RESOURCES

Abstract

In order to maintain competitiveness, multinational companies need to create suitable conditions for knowledge to flow among their subsidiaries. International Human Resources plays an important role to in this, especially when knowledge transfer takes place among subsidiaries located in different countries. In this context, this study examines the technological and human resources required in intercultural processes of knowledge transfer within a multinational company. The research is based on a single case study involving an American multinational company established in Brazil for 33 years. In-depth interviews were conducted with managers from various departments that maintain frequent contact with colleagues in plants abroad. The results show that the multinational company under study has a range of valuable technological resources. However, the International Human Resources area has little say in terms of deciding the policies and practices that involve knowledge transfer processes, a finding that is in contrast with the current literature.