The impact of embeddedness (in)congruence on reverse knowledge transfer – An agency theory perspective
研究了子公司内部与外部嵌入性的一致程度如何影响反向知识转移，发现两者一致时转移效果最佳，文化距离和东道国经验会调节这一关系。
Reverse knowledge transfer (RKT) is critical for multinational corporations (MNCs), yet its relationship with subsidiary embeddedness, particularly given varied internal and external dimensions, remains unclear. This limits our understanding of how to manage subsidiary embeddedness to maximize RKT. Drawing on a congruence perspective and agency theory, we argue that agency problems arise when internal and external embeddedness are incongruent; thus, RKT is maximized when these two dimensions are congruent, regardless of their absolute levels. Using polynomial regression and response surface methodology, we test this congruence effect and examine the moderating effects of cultural distance and MNCs' host-country experience. Our study offers insights into the diverse configurations of subsidiary embeddedness and contributes a novel perspective on parent-subsidiary relationships and knowledge flows within MNCs.