Print

Print


International Business Review

Special Issue on The Role of Knowledge and Learning in internationalization

 

Guest Editors

José Pla-Barber (University of Valencia)

Joaquin Alegre (University of Valencia)

 

 

The international strategy is enhanced by the organization’s ability to learn. From this perspective, internationalization is viewed as a process of learning and knowledge accumulation (Brouthers et al., 2009). Learning alters the manner in which firms see and interpret the world and identify knowledge gaps in foreign markets. Knowledge and learning play a central role in the internationalization processes of the firm in a different number of ways (Petersen, Pedersen & Lyles, 2008).

The international firm needs to learn and use knowledge on the different international markets it is operating in. Knowledge acquisition is one of the key factors behind a firm’s international behavior in terms of selection of foreign markets, entry modes and the speed of the process.

Different markets imply different consumers’ needs and wants. Learning is essential for product adaptation as well as for achieving product innovation successfully (Kafouros et al., 2008). International firms tend to have an outstanding innovative capability that they exploit in several markets (Pla-Barber and Alegre, 2007).

The international firm also has to deal with knowledge flows with other firms. The transferability of technological knowledge across borders enables early and rapid internationalization. Absorptive capacity and open innovation are also decisive processes through which international firms can integrate external knowledge and launch attractive new products to the international markets. Finally, internal knowledge sharing is also an essential issue for multinational corporations (Buckley and Ghauri, 2004; Michailova and Minbaeva, 2012) in order to achieve effective coordination. Organizational routines and structures are better integrated for internationalization when firms develop and retain abilities to learn and share knowledge.

 

This Special Issue focuses on these knowledge processes that allow the international firm to outperform its competitors in the international arena.

 

Subject coverage

Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

 

Adaptation to changes in foreign markets

Absorptive Capacity and Open Innovation

Dynamic capabilities related to internationalization processes

Dynamic capabilities related to knowledge processes

Knowledge sharing within multinational corporations

Knowledge and learning in entrepreneurial firms

Co-location and International Networks of knowledge

Links between modes of learning and internationalization strategies

Knowledge and learning in the expatriation process.

Links between national/organizational culture and knowledge learning and sharing

Managerial intentionality and learning-based aspects of internationalization.

 

Notes for Prospective Authors

Submitted papers should not have been previous published nor be currently under consideration for publication elsewhere. All papers are refereed through a peer review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submitting papers are available on IBR’s web page (http://www.journals.elsevier.com/international-business-review/)

 

Important Dates

The deadline for submission is: September 30, 2012. Submissions will be provided via IBR Manuscript Central System at: http://ees.elsevier.com/ibr/

 

Editors

Please direct any questions regarding the special issue to either of the guest editors:

 

José Pla-Barber, Professor

Department of Management.

Faculty of Economics

University of Valencia

Phone: +34 963828917

e-mail: [log in to unmask]

Joaquin Alegre, Professor

Department of Management

Faculty of Economics

University of Valencia

Phone: +34 963828312

e-mail: [log in to unmask]

____
AIB-L is brought to you by the Academy of International Business.
For information: http://aib.msu.edu/community/aib-l.asp
To post message: [log in to unmask]
For assistance: [log in to unmask]
AIB-L is a moderated list.