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How Mentorship Improves Reverse Transfer of Tacit Knowledge in Chinese Multinational Companies (MNCs)

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Transforming Healthcare Through Information Systems

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Information Systems and Organisation ((LNISO,volume 17))

Abstract

Knowledge transfer has long been a major focus of research in the literature on MNCs in developed countries. However, reverse knowledge transfer in MNCs in developing countries (e.g., China) has received limited attention. By integrating mentorship, social capital and international adjustment theories, this study develop a theoretical model to demonstrate when and how mentoring improves reverse transfer of tacit knowledge in Chinese MNCs. In particular, we propose that (1) mentoring functions (i.e., vocational support, psychological support and role modelling) should have positive effects on three dimensions of social capital (i.e., ties strength; trust; shared language and vision), which in turn, should improve reverse transfer of tacit knowledge from foreign mentors to Chinese mentees. (2) International adjustment of mentors (i.e., work adjustment, interaction adjustment and general adjustment) is expected to moderate the relationships of mentoring with ties strength, trust, shared language and vision. This is a research-in-progress paper and a survey should be conducted to test the theoretical model. This research should provide theoretical and practical implications.

A prior version of this paper has been published in the ISD2015 Proceedings (http://aisel.aisnet.org/isd2014/proceedings2015/).

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Acknowledgements

This study is sponsored by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (71471017); Beijing Higher Education Young Elite Teacher Project (Principal Investigator: Z.J. Chen, No. YETP1164, 3210036521404), Beijing Excellent Talents Fund (Principal Investigator: Z.J. Chen, No. 2013D009011000006, 3210036521407); Basic Research Fund of Beijing Institute of Technology (Principal Investigator: Z.J. Chen, No. 20132142005, 3210012211405). 2012 Science and Technology Project Funds for Oversea Scholars (Principal Investigator: Z.J. Chen, No. 3210036821201).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China

    Zhenjiao Chen

  2. Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China

    Doug Vogel

Authors
  1. Zhenjiao Chen
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  2. Doug Vogel
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Zhenjiao Chen .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China

    Doug Vogel

  2. Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China

    Xitong Guo

  3. Caulfield School of IT, Monash Univ, Caulfield East, Victoria, Australia

    Henry Linger

  4. Cairnes School of Business & Econonomics, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland

    Chris Barry

  5. Cairnes School of Business & Economics, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland

    Michael Lang

  6. City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong

    Christoph Schneider

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Chen, Z., Vogel, D. (2016). How Mentorship Improves Reverse Transfer of Tacit Knowledge in Chinese Multinational Companies (MNCs). In: Vogel, D., Guo, X., Linger, H., Barry, C., Lang, M., Schneider, C. (eds) Transforming Healthcare Through Information Systems. Lecture Notes in Information Systems and Organisation, vol 17. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-30133-4_9

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