Title: Exploring the impact of national culture on the outcome of international technology transfer projects

Authors: Harm-Jan Steenhuis, Erik J. De Bruijn

Addresses: Department of Management, College of Business and Public Administration, Eastern Washington University, 668 N. Riverpoint Blvd. Suite A, Spokane, WA 99202-1677, USA. ' School of Business, Public Administration and Technology, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands

Abstract: Manufacturing companies worry that producing in high labour-cost countries can not be sustained and are considering moving manufacturing to low labour-cost regions. Manufacturers that are considering this approach should be aware that moving to low-labour cost countries does not always lead to cost reductions. Cost increases may occur as a result of productivity differences. One of the causes for these productivity differences is national culture. This paper|s analysis leads to the conclusion that national culture affects the method of organising and this in turn affects labour productivity. Countries may have a cultural competitive advantage to conduct specific types of activities.

Keywords: national culture; international manufacturing; productivity; organisational design; international technology transfer.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTTC.2007.017807

International Journal of Technology Transfer and Commercialisation, 2007 Vol.6 No.2/3/4, pp.212 - 234

Published online: 16 Apr 2008 *

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