Cross-Cultural Knowledge Sharing for Competitive Advantage

Abstract

The contemporary business organization functions in a global economy operating in multiple country environments and with competitive advantage based largely on the ability to develop and manage knowledge. In this interview, Nigel Holden, a prominent expert and contributor to both cross-cultural management and knowledge management, explores his current views of the relationship between the two in the modern multinational company. Calling for a move beyond what he characterizes as a superficial approach for developing a global perspective in Western business education, he focuses on the “art” of cocreating a common cognitive and emotional ground to facilitate sharing of knowledge between individuals and in networks with different cultures in different contexts. In this, he explores the role of tacit knowledge and, particularly, language itself as a knowledge management metaphor and an influence on knowledge transfer. Finally, he elaborates on the challenge of enabling knowledge flows across cultural barriers in international firms.