Title: The extraction of manufacturing capability: a case of sophisticated transferee

Authors: Jonathan Sapsed, Ammon J. Salter

Addresses: CENTRIM, University of Brighton, The Freeman Centre, (University of Sussex Campus), Falmer, Brighton BN1 9QE, UK. ' Imperial College Business School, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK

Abstract: Research on international transfer of manufacturing capability has traditionally focused on the viewpoint of the |transferor|, where the recipient is usually less sophisticated. The nature of knowledge in the transferor is identified as the core determinant of the |transferability| of capability, ideally independent of the host context. In this paper we consider the problem from the viewpoint of the |transferee|; extracting the capability that it needs from a relatively passive transferor and feeding back knowledge in a mutual learning system. In such cases the |knowledge transfer| metaphor breaks down. We illustrate this with a case study of a major US computer manufacturer transferring the capability of building its most complex server product to a European site. We discuss the implications of the case for the literature on knowledge transfer.

Keywords: manufacturing capability; knowledge transfer; international management; mutual learning; computer manufacturing.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.2008.021046

International Journal of Technology Management, 2008 Vol.44 No.3/4, pp.391 - 405

Published online: 31 Oct 2008 *

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