Co-evolution and reverse transfer of organizational practices from cross-border affiliates of multinational corporations

This paper examines the processes whereby organizational practices are evolved between multinational corporations (MNCs) and their cross-border affiliates . It is argued that when affiliates of MNCs mature, they will acquire sufficient capabilities to create new practices and transferred back to the MNCs and other affiliates. The study used a comparative case study approach. It involved five companies and was conducted through site visits and interviews with 45 managers from different levels and departments. The study offers a new approach to the transfer and management of practices by considering it as a bi-directional process with a co-evolutionary nature