Unintentional, unavoidable, and beneficial knowledge leakage from the multinational enterprise

Andrew Inkpen (), Dana Minbaeva and Eric W K Tsang
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Andrew Inkpen: Arizona State University
Dana Minbaeva: Copenhagen Business School
Eric W K Tsang: University of Texas at Dallas

Journal of International Business Studies, 2019, vol. 50, issue 2, No 5, 250-260

Abstract: Abstract Knowledge leakage as an undesirable outcome for MNEs is an accepted view in IB literature. We challenge this view and argue that knowledge leakage is often unintentional, unavoidable, and beneficial for the MNE. In a highly networked and information-rich society, knowledge leakage from MNEs (1) happens naturally due to interfirm relationships, interactions, and socialization, (2) is unavoidable due to employee mobility, and (3) facilitates knowledge inflows due to the reciprocity nature of knowledge exchange and hence is beneficial for MNEs. In addition, the costs of protecting knowledge incurred by an MNE will often outweigh the benefits.

Keywords: knowledge leakage; knowledge protection; reciprocity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (25)

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DOI: 10.1057/s41267-018-0164-6

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