Exploring Knowledge Sharing In Multi-National Companies

Research Objectives and Questions

Globalization of industrial sector states the requisites for the companies to expand their business into new territories or different nations world-wide. While establishing a business in other country demands for transfer of knowledge in order to practice the business processes ( Kilnes, 2009). Research has recognized complications in doing as largely to difficulties and problems in the process of transfer of knowledge (facts, data and some other relevant information about the business) and some researches has also determined the vital role of applying knowledge from different – different parts of the world. A philosophy of transfer of knowledge, implementation of that knowledge in the business as well as learning are required for success of international business (Foster, 2014).

This research proposal is made with an objective to explore the sharing of knowledge among MNC`s as there is requirement of proper sharing of knowledge in order to achieve success and financial growth. In this research proposal project, exploratory research is being focused as this research is exploratory in nature (Denscombe, 2012).

Main problem for which research is to be done is associated with share of knowledge between a company and its subsidiary. As when a company multiplies its business or set its subsidiary in some other country than the problem of sharing knowledge arise. For each and every business organization, knowledge or information is required to carry its business processes (C & C, 2012). A subsidiary company is established in another company then the requirement for sharing of knowledge persist as human resources who carries out the activities of business requisites knowledge for doing number of activities. When the company transfers knowledge to the subsidiary then the human resources of subsidiary company come to know that what actually they have to do, and how they will do.

Main reason for this problem is difference in language, culture or society. As due to different language people would not easily understand each other and communication problem may also exist.

Research`s aim and objectives lays emphasis on the purpose for which the research shall be conducted. Research aim and objectives depicts the idea of research problem and states that the research shall be conducted to solve the problem (Wimmers, 2010). Main aim of the research is – “To explore MNC`s knowledge sharing”

• Assess the factors which can be helpful in transfer of knowledge.
• Identify the aspects which can be barrier for sharing or transferring of knowledge.
• Assess the role of management in process of knowledge sharing.

Justification of the Project

This research project will be important for the MNC`s as the output of the research will provide some base for MNC`s to make decisions for transfer of knowledge. This research would be used by the Multi -national companies at the time when they will set a subsidiary in some other part of world. MNC`s will focus on the areas of knowledge management and transfer so that relevant information, facts as well as other important data could be transfer to the company which is recently established in other nation. This research will be important in terms of theoretical or practical aspects (Bates, 2014). As the management of the business organization which is indulged in global business as can use this research for sharing of knowledge and to understand what type of barriers can be faced while transfer of knowledge, how the human resource of the subsidiary company of other nation will react to the transfer and adaption of knowledge as well as other companies which are not practicing these business at international level can also use this research project as to gain knowledge about transfer of information, knowledge or management of knowledge ( Wetcher, 2011). The research project will be important in terms of practical, as the ways by which knowledge transfer can be done, would be used by the MNC`s. Benefits which could be availed by this research proposal when this will be conducted are-

• It is going to facilitate those MNC`s who wish to establish its subsidiary in another country.
• This research will also support to understand the relationship between knowledge management and knowledge transfer.
• The outcomes which will be obtained through the research proposal project are going to be used by the researchers for further research, MNC`s for making policy for knowledge transfer and managing knowledge (Saunders, et al., 2012).
• One of the benefit which could be deliver by the research proposal will be helpful for the MNC`s to understand the importance of knowledge transfer and to get proactive and be prepared in developing quality strategy for transfer of knowledge in future.

Importance of the Chosen Project

The potential research output or outcome will deliver a theoretical framework for the MNC`s and other researchers who are conducting research on the same topic. The expected results or the potential outcome of the research will be-The process which is best for sharing the knowledge would be identified; Barriers which come across while transfer of knowledgewould be recognized; importance of knowledge transfer for the business and to practice business in other parts of the world would also be recognized by the outcome of research. The outcome of the research will be helpful for the management of MNC`s as they will be able to select the strategy for transfer of knowledge and the ways by which knowledge could be transferred without any obstacle will be stated as the research`s output (Prasad , 2016). Some of the possible research outcome will be-

• Ways can be used by MNC’s for sharing knowledge.
• Expectation of employees while transfer of knowledge is carried out.
• Degree of employee’s involvement while sharing of knowledge.
• Importance of sharing or transfer of knowledge.
• Ways for managing the knowledge.

Knowledge is a different aspect which is useful to understand something for the purpose of education and experience. Knowledge plays an important role to make an organization successful in the present competitive era. It must be important to transfer and incorporate a relevant set of information within an organization in an effective manner. It is essential part for an organization to organize the knowledge regarding the activities performed by the companies.

As, it is said by the, ( Kilnes, 2009)knowledge is indulged into the routine of an organization,  in its daily performing activities, its process as well as in its products and services, its equipment’s and technologies, in its structure and layout, into its regulations and culture regarding the way to getting things done. Creation of knowledge is considered as most essential value for the top most leading companies by which they can attain the competitive advantage as compared with their competitors. Through adequate knowledge business companies can take various decisions such as- planning and implementing strategies, decisions for new projects, managing changes etc.

It is assumed that sharing of knowledge is considered as the process of access, adaptation and transfer the knowledge among different parties. It is believe by Brown and Duguid that the collective knowledge in an organization are acquired from the several different practices that results in distributed and shared relevant understanding which also do not disguise the contribution of a person. The both term practice and knowledge are interrelated with each other as with the knowledge, practice also develops. In the same way, with the help of practice, knowledge can be improved (Meier- & , 2012).

Literature Analysis

It is not an easy task to share innovative collected knowledge to the other places of the world where an organization wants to open its franchisee because the people living there might have some other standards, criteria of evaluation, priorities. It is a risky task to share proper knowledge without knowing the willingness of an individual.

Transferring of knowledge is considered as the sharing of knowledge between recipients or a source within the organization own subsidies. Knowledge sharing term has come from the enhancing industry convergence and globalization. There are huge competitions into the external market with the effect of which companies want to expand its business into internationally. Organization adopts different strategies to sustain into the market like, expansion, innovated business practices and the effectiveness of an organization is revealed through their skills and knowledge. On this contrast, it is to be said that easy knowledge sharing is not considered as the effective method for transferring the knowledge because when knowledge is being translated into other country or culture which results in information which is appropriate technically but actually it is culturally invalid. The process of transfer of knowledge shall support the cultural aspects aw well so that the cultural factors may not act as barrier for sharing of knowledge. The cultural aspects of the employees should be valued while sharing knowledge with tem in order to get successful transfer of knowledge.

Apart from that, the opinion based upon the knowledge finds attracting to the human being even though they are the one who plays an important role in knowledge processing like acquisition, transfer and creation into the business premises. It is acquired that knowledge learning is important in order to explain the entire process of transferring of knowledge into the joint ventures, acquisitions as well as strategic alliances.

Learning has the capacity to make an organization successful. Learning helps the organization to develop daily new innovative knowledge as well as it also has some involvement into the daily ongoing events and activities. Kolb has described learning by developing a model of four stages which are, producing knowledge, collecting knowledge, manage knowledge as well as acting on knowledge. The knowledge can be produces through number of factors or to collect knowledge a person can carry out different activities such as- role play, interaction with people, internet etc. as they are some of the source from where people can gain knowledge. It is also crucial for people to manage the knowledge and the knowledge should be upgraded timely in order to manage the changes.

Data Collection and Analysis Methods

According to the ( Hamida & Lejeune, 2017), activities includes documentations and standardization are considered as important aspect for transferring the knowledge by which proper assistance will be provided to the organization to make smooth flow of knowledge within the entire parts of organization. There must be provided circumstances to the employees where they get chance to interact and to learn best things in an effective and creative way. In a simple way when an organization possesses some knowledge that surely influence other organization somewhere in negative and in positive way by transferring of that knowledge. There are various methods available by which knowledge can be transferred from one place to another within an organization (Meier- & , 2012). One of them is training, that provides several opportunities to communicate among the different parts of the organization by which employees can be able to see the expert’s performance. Blueprints as well as furnishing documentation are helpful for transferring the knowledge from one place to another. In addition to this, on the job training can also be included into the activities of organization which helps in developing the acknowledgeable as well as social connections of the employees. Another aspect which can also be taken into consideration is group training which helps in integrating and expanding the models of various employees’ groups. These methods like on the job training, group training, job rotations, etc. will provide help to the employees in developing their major interest area as well as they get also a chance for sharing different knowledge from the different field.

At last in the literature view, the discussion will be done on the barriers of knowledge transfer. It is known that there is huge competition in the outside markets which is considered as main barriers for the knowledge sharing process because an employee of a unit cannot share any important knowledge with the other group members if they are competitor. There are various departments into an organization and each of them has been divided into different teams having different tasks, different co –ordination, using different technology as well as they involve into their own culture in that case why anyone  will share their personal knowledge to other person. In this way, knowledge of one group remains kept at one place only.

So, there are many different aspects like barriers and importance associated with the knowledge sharing have been described in the literature review of this research report. It is important for an organization to take all these aspects into consideration during the process of knowledge sharing and transferring in order to attain the goal effectively and sustain into the big competitive market.

Chapters/Sections of Research Report

This research is exploratory in nature. As the researcher has to explore different ideas and aspects required for transfer of knowledge and the barriers which can affect the transfer of knowledge will be explored in the research. Therefore this research is exploratory. The methods for collecting the data and the tools which will be required for collection of data and the manner for analysis of the collected data are described below-

Data collection method and tools- data is crucial for any research as through analyzing the data, research’s output can be assessed which will be helpful in solving the problem of research or we can say that through analysis of data an answer for the research question or a solution for the research problem can be achieved (Olsen, 2011). Both primary and secondary data will be collected for the research as this research will require both type of data.

Primary Data- This data is also known as data collected at first time for the research. There are number of methods available for collection of primary data such as- interviews, surveys, observation, reporting, questionnaire etc. In this research, the data will be collected through the questionnaire method (Saunders, et al., 2012). A questionnaire will be formed and send to the management of the subsidiary as well as the parent company’s employees through e-mails. Questionnaire will be sent through mails as there are large number of employees working in the MNC`s and direct contact with them is not possible. This method of data collection will be easy and in budget as sending questionnaire through mails do not charge more cost. In the questionnaire several questions will be included that will be based on the research problem. In addition to this, confidentiality will also be maintained and personal questions will not be included in the questionnaire, as the employees may hesitate to give answer of those questions which can put impact on their jobs could be ignored by the employees.

Secondary Data- This type of data is already collected by someone else and can be used by the users as per their interests. This data is less reliable in comparison to data collected through primary sources (Meier- & , 2012). Number of ways available to collect the secondary data are- case studies, organizational and government records, information available on internet, magazines, reports etc. In the research secondary data would be collected through studying the case studies and the reports of MNC`s. The data which are presented about the transfer of data in MNC`s will be considered for collection for the research.

Budget and Project Schedule

Analyze the data

The data collected for the research is important to be analyzed so that research outcome could be produced. In this type of research, both quantitative and qualitative analysis of data will be done. As the data which would be collected from the primary sources through questionnaire will include facts and those factors would be analyzed through quantitative measures (Ramirez & Ramirez, 2009). On the other hand, the data collected through the secondary sources i.e. from case studies of MNC`s will be analyzed through qualitative measures as the data collected from the secondary method will be more descriptive in nature and this type of data can be analyzed properly through qualitative measures such as- expert`s advice ( Wetcher, 2011). The secondary data i.e. descriptive in nature can be analyzed through expert who has vast knowledge about the management and MNC`s.

The whole research study will be organized by the following way stated in the below table-

Name of sections of report	Brief description
Problem Statement	This section is important section as it comprehends the main problem for which the research shall be conducted. Therefore in this section detail about the main problem for conducting this research will be described (Denscombe, 2012).
Research project aim and objective	Aim of the research for which the research is going to be conducted will be detailed in this section.
Justification of the project	Importance of the project for the MNC`s and other users will be described in this section
Potential research outcome	This section encloses the possible outcomes of the research.
Conceptual Framework	Literature review of different experts or authors are comprised in this section (Becker, & Denicolo, 2012).
Methodology	The methodology by which the research is conducted are included in this section such as- data collection, methods going to be used for collection of data and the way by which the collected data will be analyzed.

Research project`s Budget

Activities	Expenses
Problem Statement	$600
Research project aim and objective	$250
Justification of the project	$650
Conceptual Framework	$800
Methodology	$2200
Total budget for the research project	$ 5000

This budget is prepared for the research project as to conduct the activities which are stated above, an amount of $ 5000 will be expended (Bates, 2014).

Project Schedule

Activities	Starting date	Activity ending date	Number of days taken for completion of activity
Problem Statement	1 April, 2017	5 April, 2017	5 Days
Research project aim and objective	6 April, 2017	10 April, 2017	4 Days
Justification of the project	11 April, 2017	15 April, 2017	5 Days
Potential research outcome	16 April, 2017	19 April, 2017	4 Days
Conceptual Framework	20 April, 2017	26 April, 2017	7 Days
Research Methodology	27 May, 2017	5 May, 2017	10 Days
Total number of days	–	–	35 Days

References

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Peltokorpi, V., & Vaara, E. (2014). Knowledge transfer in multinational corporations: Productive and counterproductive effects of language-sensitive recruitment. Journal of International Business Studies, 45(5), 600-622.