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| The Formation and Promotion Path of Knowledge Capability in the Process of Enterprise Internationalization |
| Zhao Wenli,Ye Guangyu,Yan Yan |
| (School of Business Administration, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510641, China) |
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Abstract The knowledge learning, transfer and absorption of enterprises in the process of internationalization can provide more opportunities for home enterprises to solve customer problems. Therefore, many scholars believe that knowledge, as an important strategic resource, can help multinational enterprises obtain a competitive market advantage through appropriate management, exploration and utilization.#br# This paper attempts to answer the following two problems based on the dynamic capability theory:What are the constituent elements of knowledge capability in the process of internationalization? What is the development trend of each constituent element of knowledge capability in different internationalization stages (dynamic environment)? Then it summarize the promotion path of knowledge capability.#br#Through the analysis of three case enterprises, this study draws three main conclusions. Firstly knowledge capability includes four elements: knowledge recognition, knowledge acquisition, knowledge utilization and knowledge protection; knowledge recognition is the starting point of knowledge capability, and knowledge acquisition is the key step to increase enterprise knowledge reserve; the process of knowledge utilization is the process of transforming knowledge reserves into core competitiveness; knowledge protection provides a guarantee for the continuous improvement of enterprise competitiveness. #br#Secondly interaction with the outside world of the knowledge owned by enterprises should be continued. Therefore, the four elements of knowledge capability will show different development trends in different internationalization stages with the changes of their purpose and environment. Specifically, knowledge recognition is changed from fuzzy target search to key target search, and then to target enhancement; knowledge acquisition is changed from patchwork acquisition to active acquisition, and then to traction acquisition. The mode of knowledge utilization is changed from filter type to expansion type, and then to cooperative type. Knowledge protection starts from nothing and is changed from legal protection to technical barrier protection.#br# Thirdly the changes of the four elements in different stages constitute the promotion path of knowledge capability, and the path can be divided into prototype construction, expansion and integration. (1) In the international exploration stage, enterprises need to quickly adapt to market demand. This stage is called the embryonic stage, including fuzzy goal construction, piecemeal knowledge acquisition and filtered knowledge utilization. (2) In the international growth stage, enterprises begin to segment the market to meet the needs of market growth. Relying on the knowledge capability acquired in the previous stage, enterprises begin to actively seek to acquire knowledge, apply the filtered knowledge to proprietary fields, set up knowledge protection mechanism and form knowledge capability expansion stage. (3) In the mature stage of internationalization, creating customer demand is the primary goal of the enterprise. At this stage, due to the accelerated iterative updating of technical knowledge and customer knowledge, it is difficult to rely on only one enterprise. Enterprises begin to acquire knowledge through traction strategy and make collaborative use of the acquired knowledge to achieve the amplified effect. Since then, the knowledge integration capability stage of the enterprise has been formed.#br#This paper has three theoretical contributions. (1) Four elements of knowledge capability are identified. Specifically, this study emphasizes the prominent role of knowledge identification, and confirms that in order to avoid the rigidity of capability, enterprises often have to reflect on themselves to seek new knowledge capability; it distinguishes effective knowledge acquisition from efficient knowledge utilization;the study not only focuses on formal legal means, but also emphasizes informal protection methods, therefor it diversifies the methods of knowledge protection. (2) Dynamic capability theory holds that with the continuous change of the competitive environment, the acquisition and utilization of resources in enterprises should also have dynamic characteristics. Through analysis, this paper obtains the different forms of various elements of knowledge capability in different internationalization stages, and it makes up for the defect of mere static analysis of knowledge capability in previous studies. (3) It expands the applicable situation of knowledge capability. At present, most of the research on knowledge capability focuses on the domestic situation and ignores the interactive process of knowledge in the international situation. Therefore, from the perspective of the international market, this paper explores the promotion path of knowledge capability in developing the international market, and provides theoretical support for the implementation of enterprise internationalization strategy.#br#
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Received: 17 May 2021
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