When same is (not) the aim: A treatise on organizational cultural fit and knowledge transfer

Sergey Morgulis-Yakushev, H. Emre Yildiz and Carl. F. Fey

Journal of World Business, 2018, vol. 53, issue 2, 151-163

Abstract: Multinationals (MNCs) need to find the balance between developing a globally standardized organizational culture and having multiple locally- adapted organizational cultures. Past literature embodies the bias that differences between MNC units, unless managed, would lead to adverse consequences. To counter this negative bias, we focus on cultural fit, which is the amount of difference yielding maximum benefit. We argue that depending on comparison criterion and desired outcome, fit could be achieved by establishing similarities or maintaining differences. Using evolutionary economics, we explore knowledge transfer within MNCs and test our hypotheses on fit using a unique dyadic dataset from 186 MNCs.

Keywords: Cultural distance; Cultural differences and similarities; Cultural fit; Knowledge transfer; Organizational culture (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (7)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:worbus:v:53:y:2018:i:2:p:151-163

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DOI: 10.1016/j.jwb.2017.09.002

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