Assimilation of repatriate knowledge : A study of knowledge management in 39 Large Cap companies

Abstract: It has been stated in many studies that MNCs are in the position of transferring and combining market knowledge and by doing so are creating a competitive edge on national firms. In addition, research has also pointed out the expatriates as one of the most important vehicles for transporting this knowledge. However, recent studies have indicated that there is a gap between what the expatriate learn and what their organization as a whole learn from the expatriates’ international assignments. This study therefore investigates if Nordic MNC’s use mechanisms to assimilate the knowledge expatriates have gained on their international assignments. The findings from 39 Large Cap companies indicate that the participating MNCs do not use mechanisms of knowledge assimilation in any wider sense. Formal methods of sharing knowledge, for example through reports, seminars or IT systems were not common in the studied MNCs nor were informal mechanisms such as fostering a common knowledge sharing vision within the MNC. The findings suggest that the most commonly used methods of assimilating repatriate knowledge are informal in forms of assigning the repatriates to positions that take advantage of their international knowledge and by using different forms of mentoring systems.