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This dissertation investigates the factors that influence the learning of subsidiaries from their local environment and the sequential knowledge outflow from the subsidiaries. Scholars have recognized the ability to learn from diverse local environments as a critical source of competitive advantage for multinational corporations (MNCs). However, the factors influencing the extent to which MNCs learn from local environments in order to develop innovative capabilities have not been well understood. Considering the complexity of institutional environments faced by subsidiaries, this dissertation explores cross-level factors that influence subsidiary learning from diverse local environments. At interface levels, a subsidiary’s local embeddedness and its learning strategy influence the awareness of local strategic knowledge by the subsidiary. At context levels, local market competition and corporate entrepreneurial culture affect the motivation of a subsidiary to learn from diverse local environments. Finally at subsidiary level, top management team heterogeneity impacts the capability of a subsidiary to learn. This dissertation applies both qualitative and quantitative research methods. Multiplecase studies provide rich details, while survey research tests the generalizability of the proposed

The economic activities related to food and agriculture are not usually considered as the conventional path to development. These are generally categorized as ‘low-tech ’ activities and often considered as a transitional phase towards ‘high-tech ’ manufacturing industries. This paper holds that such conventional thinking may no longer be true in certain contexts. It uses the Prebisch-Singer thesis as the starting point to question underpinning assumptions in present-day contexts. The perspective emerges that ‘low tech ’ industry may actually require high levels of knowledge management and value creation. The Chilean salmon farming industry has shown unusually successful development to world leadership in a premium natural resource based product through catching up. Here it is examined as an example to look at the points raised in both theoretical and empirical literatures. In the learning process relevant to this industry, the importance of ‘organizational capability’, more specifically knowledge management, has greater weight than conventional and narrowly defined ‘technological capability’. The paper demonstrates how enhancement of such capability at meso level took place in the Chilean salmon farming industry in its attempt to participate in establishing global standards-setting processes. In conclusion, it is argued that the leap developing countries need to make may not lie between the sectors, such as agriculture to manufacturing, but rather between different levels of knowledge management and institutional arrangements to enhance organizational capability. I.

This paper has not undergone formal review or approval of the faculty of the ILR School. It is intended to make results of Center research available to others interested in preliminary form to encourage discussion and suggestions. Page 2Strategic Knowledge Measurement and Management CAHRS WP02-17 Knowledge and intellectual capital are now recognized as vital resources for organizational survival and competitive advantage. A vast array of knowledge measures has evolved, spanning many disciplines. This chapter reviews knowledge measures focusing on groups of individuals (such as teams, business and organizations), as they reflect the stock or flow of knowledge, as well as enabling processes that enhance knowledge stocks and flows. The chapter emphasizes the importance of organizational value chains, pivotal talent pools and the link between knowledge and competitive success, in understanding the significance of today’s knowledge measures, and opportunities for future research and practice to enhance them. Final Chapter to appear in the forthcoming: