Organizing international technological collaboration in subcontractor relationships: an investigation of the knowledge-stickiness problem

Technological knowledge is often claimed to be context-bound and sticking to local surroundings. This paper investigates how technological knowledge can be exchanged in international subcontractor relationships, using relationship-oriented organizational practices. Seven hypotheses concerning such practices are tested, It is shown that the use of relationship-oriented practices varies with exports and the active development of subcontractors in product and process development activities. Moreover, international development-oriented subcontractors are more likely to use interpersonal exchange, electronic data interchange and formalized contracts than other types of subcontractors. Research implications as well as managerial implications are derived. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.