Antecedents of knowledge transfer effectiveness in international teams Online publication date: Fri, 05-Jul-2024
by Torbjørn Bjorvatn; Andreas Wald
European J. of International Management (EJIM), Vol. 23, No. 4, 2024
Abstract: Despite the rapid proliferation of international teams, limited research exists on knowledge transfer effectiveness in such teams. This study investigates the impact of geographical distance, native-language diversity and national cultural diversity on within-team knowledge transfer effectiveness. Moreover, the mediating effect of group-level absorptive capacity is assessed. Using a dual-sample approach, structural equation modelling is applied to analyse a sample of 196 internationally dispersed project teams. We find that geographical distance and cultural diversity impede both absorptive capacity and knowledge transfer effectiveness. In contrast, language diversity amplifies absorptive capacity and exhibits an indirect-only positive mediating effect on knowledge transfer effectiveness. The results suggest that the effects of the international business environment on team outcomes are more complex, layered and conflicting than commonly assumed.
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