A systematic literature review of foreign MNCs’ knowledge transfer in China

ABSTRACT

Multinational corporations (MNCs) have played a key role in China’s economic growth. In the new era after China’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2001, MNCs have seen unprecedented growth opportunities as well as challenges in China. This systematic literature review of 42 peer-reviewed journal articles from 2001 to 2019 analyzes the factors that have influenced knowledge transfer in MNCs’ networks in China. We identify knowledge spillover and reverse spillover that are critical in knowledge transfer in China. Practical implications are provided for fledgling MNCs that are planning to invest in China.

KEYWORDS:

• MNCs
• China
• knowledge transfer
• knowledge spillover
• knowledge reverse spillover
• WTO

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Lei Xie

Dr. Lei Xie is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Organization, Workforce, and Leadership Studies at Texas State University. His primary research interests include learning organization, knowledge management, and leadership in teams. He earned his Ph.D. and Master’s degrees in Human Resource Development from Texas A&M University.

Yuanlu Niu

Dr. Yuanlu Niu is an Assistant Professor of Human Resource and Workforce Development at University of Arkansas. She holds a Ph.D. in Education with a concentration in the Workforce Education and Development and an MBA from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Her research focuses on career development, career transition, human resource development, women’s studies, and workforce diversity.