Title: How cognitive coordination promotes collaborative knowledge-sharing performance: the mediating role of interorganisational knowledge flows

Authors: Jenn-Maw Cheng; Nicolai J. Foss; Yingshing Lin; Shih-Chieh Fang

Addresses: Department of International Business Management, Shih Chien University Kaohsiung Campus, 200 University Road, Neimen, Kaohsiung City 845, Taiwan ' Department of Strategy and Management, Norwegian School of Economics and Business Administration, Breiviksveien 40, N-5045, Bergen, Norway; Center for Strategic Management and Globalization, Copenhagen Business School, Porcelainshaven 24, 1st fl., 2000 Frederiksberg, Denmark ' Department of Accounting and Information Systems and International Master Business of Administration, 2 Jhuoyue Rd., Nanzih, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan ' Department of Business Administration and Institute of International Business, National Cheng Kung University, 1 University Road, Tainan, 701, Taiwan

Abstract: In this research, we conceptualise quasi-integration, learning by interaction, shared meaning and shared values as mechanisms that managers can deploy or influence in order to align cognitive frames (i.e., achieve 'cognitive coordination') and thereby foster knowledge flows in the context of alliances and other inter-firm relations. The empirical setting is the Taiwanese semiconductor industry. Based on a sample of 353 firms in the vertical chain of this industry we test proposed relationships between the above mechanisms and knowledge-sharing performance. Structural equation modelling largely supports the theoretical predictions.

Keywords: alliances; cognitive coordination; interorganisational knowledge; knowledge flows; intellectual capital; collaboration; knowledge sharing; inter-firm relations; Taiwan; semiconductor industry; structural equation modelling; SEM.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLIC.2013.057429

International Journal of Learning and Intellectual Capital, 2013 Vol.10 No.3/4, pp.326 - 346

Published online: 29 Jan 2014 *

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