Riassunto analitico
In this study the knowledge transfer process in the buyer-supplier relationship is analyzed adopting the point of view of the customer. For this purpose, the main factors enabling and impeding the inter-organizational knowledge transfer are investigated. Particular attention is given to cultural distance as barrier affecting the effectiveness of the process. In the first chapter, starting from an overview on the change of perspective in a knowledge economy through the knowledge-based view, the definition of knowledge, knowledge management and intra and inter-organizational knowledge transfer is provided. The second chapter is focused on the role of the cultural on the transmission of knowledge in the inter-organizational context. Starting by theoretical background on national culture and organizational culture, cultural models on national cultures which give useful information in measuring cultural distance among nations, and so organizational cultures, are described. Moreover, aspects regarding hindering on the knowledge transfer process as well as, factors enabling possible synergies, are analyzed. Then, theoretical considerations about the relationship between the organizational culture and the inter-organizational knowledge transfer are provided. The last two chapter are centered on the analysis of the research, based on qualitative case study. In particular, the analysis is performed on primary data collected through face-to-face interviews to buyers’ key informants involved in the management of the relationship with suppliers. The supplier involved is a company operating in the B2B sector of the ceramic and dry mortars industry, while the customers belong to different national cultures and geographical areas, operating in the same industry. Moreover, secondary data are collected to give some considerations about the Hofstede’s model of cultural dimensions, providing data used for the determination of scores on cultural distances. Finally, considerations about the findings obtained are discussed and developed.
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