Title: Internal knowledge broker and diversification: the case of Korean management research institutions

Authors: Seung Hoon Jang; Taewan Kim; Donghyun Choi

Addresses: College of Business, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, Bloomsburg, PA 17815, USA ' Kania School of Management, University of Scranton, Scranton, PA 18510, USA ' School of Air Transportation and Logistics, Korea Aerospace University, Gyeonggi 412-791, Korea

Abstract: This study focusses on the organisational structure supporting the learning based on diversification strategy. The literature review exhibits that an internal knowledge brokerage institution is significantly accountable for managing knowledge in the diversified firms. The case studies of seven major Korean Chaebols, or business groups, exhibit that the managerial research institutions as internal knowledge brokers enable Korean business groups (Conglomerates) to manage knowledge from the broad areas efficiently. Both scholars and practitioners gain implications on how diversified firms can use the abundant pool of knowledge across diverse areas to support their major businesses.

Keywords: Asia; Chaebols; internal knowledge brokers; knowledge management; organisational learning; multinationals; multinational corporations; MNCs; diversification; South Korea; management research institutions; organisational structure; business groups.

DOI: 10.1504/IJKMS.2015.074146

International Journal of Knowledge Management Studies, 2015 Vol.6 No.4, pp.363 - 375

Received: 15 Sep 2015
Accepted: 14 Oct 2015
Published online: 12 Jan 2016 *

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