The Typology of Intra-firm Knowledge Transfer: Case Studies on Semiconductor Firms

• Main Authors: Chih-Jen Mao, 毛志仁
• Other Authors: Iuan-Yuan Lu
• Format: Others
• Language: en_US
• Published: 2007
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/c64q76

博士 === 國立中山大學 === 企業管理學系研究所 === 95 === In the knowledge economy era, a firm’s competitive edge increasingly depends on the possession of knowledge and intellectual capital. Knowledge becomes the key resource for firms, and firms must increase the attention they pay to knowledge management. A very important issue regarding intra-firm knowledge transfer is to identify the model and circumstances in which knowledge can effectively be transferred. The objective of this study is to demonstrate the typology of intra-firm knowledge transfer executed by different semiconductor firms. Multiple case study approach is adopted to identify the pattern of knowledge and technology transfer in this study. In order to analyses knowledge transfer activities, four semiconductor firms were studied with qualitative method. Multiple sources of evidence are gathered, including documents, interviews, and internal reports. Synthesizing the knowledge transfer practices of these firms, this study demonstrates three models for intra-firm knowledge transfer. These knowledge transfer models have important implications for technology and knowledge management. First, deploying these transfer models, replication strategies can apply to the manufacturing sector, including high-tech firms. Manufacturing firms can transfer manufacturing processes between business units and achieve synergy effects or performance consistency. Second, these transfer models validate the contingency theory since various situations induce different transfer models. Third, from these cases we can understand that external benchmarking may not always be the best way to solve problems and maintain competitive advantage. Resource-based theory maintains that firms can retain competitive edge by efficiently and effectively applying practices developed in-house.