Knowledge Sharing within the New Strategic Human Resource Department. Knowledge sharing in the case of Volvo Group

Abstract: Knowledge sharing (KS) has been argued to be the key driver of competitiveness for Multinational Corporations (MNCs), and the subject is well established within International Business studies. However, this study covers a new context of the new strategic Human Resource department. Human Resources role within MNCs has increased and it now plays an important strategic role within organizations. This requires certain knowledge to be present and shared within the department. Therefore, this study looks at how knowledge is being shared within the new strategic Human Resource department, often referred to as the Service Delivery Model, as well as facilitators and barriers that exist within this context. The study is performed through a qualitative case study of the Volvo Group, and through an abductive approach, it moves between theory and empirics in order to contribute with extension of previous literature and an understanding of KS within this new context. The study shows that knowledge is being shared in many different ways within the context, however; formal committees and meeting points play the most important role for KS, followed by other facilitators such as Information Technology, the corporate culture supporting KS, top management support for KS, job rotations and harmonized processes. Barriers, on the other hand, was found to prevent KS to some extent and included geographical distance, national culture and language, lack of incentives, lack of time to share, lack of understanding the value of KS, lack of integration of KS and corporate strategy, among others. Geographical distance was shown to be the most eminent barrier, however only to informal sharing of knowledge. Formal committees acted as a facilitator for formal sharing across geographical locations, however the geographical distance still negatively affected informal sharing across sites. The study contributes and extends previous literature both with an understanding of the importance of formal committees for sharing across sites, as well as a contribution with new empirical material and strengthening of previous literature.