National culture influences on knowledge transfer within MNC : a case analysis of Old Mutual Group

Abstract

The purpose of this master thesis is to explore national culture influence on knowledge transfer practices in MNC, the case study for my thesis is Old Mutual Group – savings, banking, insurance and asset management MNC. In my thesis I made an attempt to review literature on international strategic management that seeks to examine knowledge and knowledge transfer and specifically influence of national culture on practices of knowledge sharing. Theoretical investigation is built on resource--‐based view; tacit, explicit knowledge and knowledge transfer concepts are argued; moreover, discussion of models of cultural impacts on knowledge sharing is a foundation of the research model for my investigation. Qualitative research was employed; data collection was based on public documents and personnel interviews available on Old Mutual Group website. I assumed in my research model that such factors as nature of knowledge (tacit, explicit) and cultural dimensions (power distance and individualist/collectivist dimensions) are important issues in a success of knowledge sharing practices. The findings indicate that national culture has influences on the efficiency of transfer process and also indicate how Old Mutual Group handle it and what activities are done for better practices of knowledge transfer.