Constructing a strategy on the creation of core competencies for African companies
Publication Type
Journal Article
Publication Date
6-2018
Abstract
A growing number of studies on economic development have relied on the premise that international technology transfer provides a mechanism for developing competitive advantages for companies of developing countries, and Africa in particular. In this article, we focus on the explicit nature of technology transferable to LDCs to argue that conventional technology transfer alone cannot create core competencies for African companies that lead to the sustainable economic development of the continent. Drawing on insights from the resource-based view and the knowledge based perspective, we develop a conceptual framework for constructing core competencies for African companies. More specifically, we explore the under-researched linkage between core competencies and knowledge management.By examining the roots of core competency in the resource-based view and knowledge-based perspective, we identify the knowledge underpinning core competencies. We then reconcile diverse knowledge management models to propose an integrative approach towards generating such critical knowledge, based on which we further argue that African companies should build their strategy on the creation of core competencies rather than solely relying on conventional international technology transfer.
Keywords
International technology transfer, Core competence, Knowledge management, Africa
Discipline
African Studies | Human Resources Management | Organizational Behavior and Theory | Technology and Innovation
Publication
Technological Forecasting and Social Change
Volume
131
First Page
204
Last Page
213
ISSN
0040-1625
Identifier
10.1016/j.techfore.2017.08.008
Publisher
Elsevier
Citation
LI, Shenxue, CLARK, Timothy, & SILLINCE, John.(2018). Constructing a strategy on the creation of core competencies for African companies. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 131, 204-213.
Available at: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/soss_research/2914
Copyright Owner and License
Authors
Additional URL
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2017.08.008