title: Interfirm Alliance Linkages and Knowledge Transfer:An Exploratory Analysis of Mutual Cooperative Learning in an International Joint Venture in the Chinese Automotive Industry

authors: Ding, Qiang

subjects: Interfirm alliance

abstract: The purpose of this thesis is to extend existing knowledge in interfirm knowledge transfer research and provide a rich description of the dynamic knowledge transfer process in alliance arrangements. An exploratory case study methodology is employed, and one international joint venture (IJV) project is investigated. The empirical evidence was derived from the researcher’s involvement with one auto IJV – Shanghai GM, an IJV formed between Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) from P.R. China and General Motors (GM) from the United States. Data collection was conducted through primary and secondary sources including fieldwork interviews with Chinese and American executives respectively in the IJV, selected published sources as well as government officials, and consultants who were directly or indirectly involved with the case companies. Using CATPAC software as an analytical tool for textual analysis of the collected data, the following findings emerged. First, partner firms in Shanghai-GM reinforce the development of international cooperation as a means of increasing knowledge exchange and adaptation, such as enlarging the product ranges, and developing new car models. Second, partner firms are motivated to increase their knowledge transfer activities to increase competitive advantage levels to match or exceed those of other competitors. Both partner companies initially contributed differentiated sets of idiosyncratic and nonsubstitutable resources that are distinctively under the control of each partner. The Chinese side brings in locally embedded resources and country-specific knowledge. The foreign side contributes technology, managerial abilities, brand image, and financial resources. There is thus an asymmetrical relationship between the objectives of partners and the resources brought into the alliance: each partner firm tries to gain access to what the other puts into the joint venture. Third, relevant important preconditions and situational factors regarding knowledge transfer effectiveness in alliance context are also mentioned. Certain elements are identified as a critical barrier during the process. Fourth, IJV knowledge transfer actually occurred over a longitudinal period involving intensive interactions between the partners. Different types of knowledge were transferred over time starting with key technologies, management skills, followed by the tacit social and cultural knowledge. As time passed, both partner firms demonstrated effort and commitment in facilitating interfirm knowledge transfer practices. The IJV knowledge transfer performance finally influenced the nature of the interfirm partnership. This thesis provides a unique example which looks at the two-way learning processes for true knowledge creation and sharing in a cross-border collaborative organisation, demonstrating the performance of partner organisations in the process of IJV knowledge transfer. Based on literature reflections, tangible facts and interpretations, this thesis provides a deeper understanding of the organisational activities involving cooperation and the dynamic knowledge transfer routines, which is a significant extension of past static cross-sectional conceptualisations. This thesis also proposes an interfirm knowledge transfer and cooperative learning framework, which is emphasised that the issue of sharing knowledge in IJVs and bringing IJVs into profitability requires partner companies to engage in interpartner learning and to be able to benefit from the transfer of knowledge. A key implication for the firm, therefore, is the critical ability to deal effectively and efficiently with the transfer of knowledge resources and in so doing to gain a competitive advantage.

text: Interfirm Alliance Linkages and Knowledge Transfer:An Exploratory Analysis of Mutual Cooperative Learning in an International Joint Venture in the Chinese Automotive Industry The purpose of this thesis is to extend existing knowledge in interfirm knowledge transfer research and provide a rich description of the dynamic knowledge transfer process in alliance arrangements. An exploratory case study methodology is employed, and one international joint venture (IJV) project is investigated. The empirical evidence was derived from the researcher’s involvement with one auto IJV – Shanghai GM, an IJV formed between Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) from P.R. China and General Motors (GM) from the United States. Data collection was conducted through primary and secondary sources including fieldwork interviews with Chinese and American executives respectively in the IJV, selected published sources as well as government officials, and consultants who were directly or indirectly involved with the case companies. Using CATPAC software as an analytical tool for textual analysis of the collected data, the following findings emerged. First, partner firms in Shanghai-GM reinforce the development of international cooperation as a means of increasing knowledge exchange and adaptation, such as enlarging the product ranges, and developing new car models. Second, partner firms are motivated to increase their knowledge transfer activities to increase competitive advantage levels to match or exceed those of other competitors. Both partner companies initially contributed differentiated sets of idiosyncratic and nonsubstitutable resources that are distinctively under the control of each partner. The Chinese side brings in locally embedded resources and country-specific knowledge. The foreign side contributes technology, managerial abilities, brand image, and financial resources. There is thus an asymmetrical relationship between the objectives of partners and the resources brought into the alliance: each partner firm tries to gain access to what the other puts into the joint venture. Third, relevant important preconditions and situational factors regarding knowledge transfer effectiveness in alliance context are also mentioned. Certain elements are identified as a critical barrier during the process. Fourth, IJV knowledge transfer actually occurred over a longitudinal period involving intensive interactions between the partners. Different types of knowledge were transferred over time starting with key technologies, management skills, followed by the tacit social and cultural knowledge. As time passed, both partner firms demonstrated effort and commitment in facilitating interfirm knowledge transfer practices. The IJV knowledge transfer performance finally influenced the nature of the interfirm partnership. This thesis provides a unique example which looks at the two-way learning processes for true knowledge creation and sharing in a cross-border collaborative organisation, demonstrating the performance of partner organisations in the process of IJV knowledge transfer. Based on literature reflections, tangible facts and interpretations, this thesis provides a deeper understanding of the organisational activities involving cooperation and the dynamic knowledge transfer routines, which is a significant extension of past static cross-sectional conceptualisations. This thesis also proposes an interfirm knowledge transfer and cooperative learning framework, which is emphasised that the issue of sharing knowledge in IJVs and bringing IJVs into profitability requires partner companies to engage in interpartner learning and to be able to benefit from the transfer of knowledge. A key implication for the firm, therefore, is the critical ability to deal effectively and efficiently with the transfer of knowledge resources and in so doing to gain a competitive advantage.

year: 2011

title: Overcoming barriers to circular product design

authors: Wang, Jason X.

abstract: The circular economy concept provides sustainability research with a new vision in place of the present linear economic model. This study focuses on product design, the starting point of applying circular thinking in supply chain functions. We investigate barriers to circular product design from a stakeholder perspective. Using thematic analysis and data collected from 15 semi-structured interviews in New Zealand, we identify four prominent barriers: financial constraints, inadequate infrastructure, government inaction, and global market barriers. The most influential stakeholder classes for overcoming the barriers are consumers, industry leaders, and governments. Circumventing measures lie in sustainable end-of-life product and waste management, resource circularity, modularity and standardization in design, and supply chain collaboration. Based on these new insights, we develop a roadmap for circular product design, providing practical guidance for businesses and policymakers. We also add to research on stakeholder theory by exploring its descriptive aspect in the context of a transition to circular economy at the supply chain level.

text: Overcoming barriers to circular product design The circular economy concept provides sustainability research with a new vision in place of the present linear economic model. This study focuses on product design, the starting point of applying circular thinking in supply chain functions. We investigate barriers to circular product design from a stakeholder perspective. Using thematic analysis and data collected from 15 semi-structured interviews in New Zealand, we identify four prominent barriers: financial constraints, inadequate infrastructure, government inaction, and global market barriers. The most influential stakeholder classes for overcoming the barriers are consumers, industry leaders, and governments. Circumventing measures lie in sustainable end-of-life product and waste management, resource circularity, modularity and standardization in design, and supply chain collaboration. Based on these new insights, we develop a roadmap for circular product design, providing practical guidance for businesses and policymakers. We also add to research on stakeholder theory by exploring its descriptive aspect in the context of a transition to circular economy at the supply chain level.

year: 2021-10-29

title: Management of patients with early stage lung cancer - why do some patients not receive treatment with curative intent?

authors: Lawrenson, Ross

subjects: Lung cancer

abstract: BACKGROUNDS: This study aims to understand the factors that influence whether patients receive potentially curative treatment for early stage lung cancer. A key question was whether indigenous Māori patients were less likely to receive treatment. 
METHODS: Patients included those diagnosed with early stage lung cancer in 2011-2018 and resident in the New Zealand Midland Cancer Network region. Logistic regression model was used to estimate the odds ratios of having curative surgery/ treatment. The Kaplan Meier method was used to examine the all-cause survival and Cox proportional hazard model was used to estimate the hazard ratio of death. 
RESULTS: In total 419/583 (71.9%) of patients with Stage I and II disease were treated with curative intent - 272 (46.7%) patients had curative surgery. Patients not receiving potentially curative treatment were older, were less likely to have non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), had poorer lung function and were more likely to have an ECOG performance status of 2+. Current smokers were less likely to be treated with surgery and more likely to receive treatment with radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Those who were treated with surgery had a 2-year survival of 87.8% (95% CI: 83.8-91.8%) and 5-year survival of 69.6% (95% CI: 63.2-76.0%). Stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) has equivalent effect on survival compared to curative surgery (hazard ratio: 0.77, 95% CI: 0.37-1.61). After adjustment we could find no difference in treatment and survival between Māori and non-Māori. 
CONCLUSIONS: The majority of patients with stage I and II lung cancer are managed with potentially curative treatment - mainly surgery and increasingly with SABR. The outcomes of those being diagnosed with stage I and II disease and receiving treatment is positive with 70% surviving 5 years.

text: Management of patients with early stage lung cancer - why do some patients not receive treatment with curative intent? BACKGROUNDS: This study aims to understand the factors that influence whether patients receive potentially curative treatment for early stage lung cancer. A key question was whether indigenous Māori patients were less likely to receive treatment. 
METHODS: Patients included those diagnosed with early stage lung cancer in 2011-2018 and resident in the New Zealand Midland Cancer Network region. Logistic regression model was used to estimate the odds ratios of having curative surgery/ treatment. The Kaplan Meier method was used to examine the all-cause survival and Cox proportional hazard model was used to estimate the hazard ratio of death. 
RESULTS: In total 419/583 (71.9%) of patients with Stage I and II disease were treated with curative intent - 272 (46.7%) patients had curative surgery. Patients not receiving potentially curative treatment were older, were less likely to have non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), had poorer lung function and were more likely to have an ECOG performance status of 2+. Current smokers were less likely to be treated with surgery and more likely to receive treatment with radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Those who were treated with surgery had a 2-year survival of 87.8% (95% CI: 83.8-91.8%) and 5-year survival of 69.6% (95% CI: 63.2-76.0%). Stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) has equivalent effect on survival compared to curative surgery (hazard ratio: 0.77, 95% CI: 0.37-1.61). After adjustment we could find no difference in treatment and survival between Māori and non-Māori. 
CONCLUSIONS: The majority of patients with stage I and II lung cancer are managed with potentially curative treatment - mainly surgery and increasingly with SABR. The outcomes of those being diagnosed with stage I and II disease and receiving treatment is positive with 70% surviving 5 years.

year: 2020