摘要

全球化和科技發展催生了一種新型團隊：全球虛擬團隊。團隊的人員來自不同文化背景，他們在不同地點經由虛擬工具進行交流和合作。公司主管需要了解文化差異以增強團隊溝通，尤其是在知識轉移的管理上。

本研究欲調查文化對全球虛擬團隊內知識轉移質量的影響，根據相關的現有文獻回顧，得出關於文化在全球虛擬團隊中的影響的第一個概念模型。接著，藉由探索性質化研究，深入了解受訪者的見解和經驗。透過與全球虛擬團隊成員進行八次訪談的研究結果，本論文提出一個新的概念框架。

本研究主要的研究結果發現，來自高權力距離文化背景的人在轉移隱性知識，特別是獲得新知識時，往往會遇到更多困難。此外，研究結果發現，使用某些虛擬工具例如視訊會議，如果伴隨高權力距離文化，會抑制知識轉移。本研究為新概念模型提供了基礎。

關鍵詞：國家文化、 知識轉移、全球虛擬團隊、溝通、文化維度、知識類型

Abstract

Globalization and technological developments gave rise to a new kind of team: global virtual teams. They involve people from different cultural backgrounds who rely on virtual tools to communicate and work together while being in different locations. Managers need to better understand those cultural differences in order to enhance communication and especially to better manage knowledge transfers.
The purpose of this research is therefore to investigate the influence of culture on the quality of knowledge transfers within GVT. The review on the existing literature on those concepts led us to a first conceptual model on the influence of culture within GVT. We then decided to conduct an exploratory qualitative research, as it allows to better capture respondent’s insights and experiences. The results of the 8 interviews carried out with members of GVT allow us to propose a new conceptual framework.
Main findings show that people coming from high power distance cultures will tend to have more difficulties when transferring tacit knowledge, especially to acquire this new knowledge. Findings also show that the use of some virtual tools such as video conference combined with a high power distance can restrain knowledge transfers. This thesis provides a basis for future research based on the new conceptual model presented.

Keywords: National Culture, Knowledge Transfer, Global Virtual Teams, Communication, Cultural dimensions, Types of knowledge

Table of contents
Validation Letter i
Acknowledgement ii
摘要 iii
Abstract iv
Table of contents v
Table of figures vii
1. Introduction 1
2. Literature review 9
2.1. Knowledge transfer 9
2.1.1. Knowledge 9
2.1.2. Types of knowledge 10
2.1.3. Knowledge sharing or Knowledge transfer 14
2.1.4. The absorptive capacity 17
2.1.5. Knowledge transfer models 18
2.1.6. Barriers and factors affecting knowledge transfer 21
2.2. National Culture 24
2.2.1. Hofstede’s national cultural dimensions 24
2.2.2. Other cultural frameworks 27
2.2.3. National culture and knowledge transfer 30
2.2.4. Cross-border knowledge transfer within global virtual teams 34
3. Research proposal 37
4. Methodology 40
4.1. Research design and objectives 40
4.2. Data collection and interview guide 41
4.3. Reliability and validity 43
4.4. Research field and sampling 44
4.5. Data analysis procedures 46
5. Presentation of findings 48
5.1. Knowledge transfer 52
5.1.1. Ways of transferring knowledge 52
5.1.2. Difficulties when transferring knowledge 54
5.1.3. Ways to efficiently transfer knowledge 55
5.1.4. Knowledge transfer and culture 58
5.2. Communication within the GVT 59
5.2.1. Ways of communicating 59
5.2.2. Tools to communicate 61
5.2.3. Challenges to effective communication 70
5.2.4. Overcoming communication challenges 75
5.3. Influence of cultures within the GVT 78
5.3.1. National culture has a mixed impact within the GVT 78
5.3.2. Behaviors caused by national culture 81
5.3.3. Ways to overcome cultural differences 89
6. Discussion of results 102
6.1. Knowledge transfer 103
6.2. Communication and cultural challenges influence on knowledge transfer 105
6.3. Communication, culture and knowledge transfers through GVT 110
6.4. Managerial implications 112
6.5. Social responsibility and environmental impact 114
Conclusion 117
References 121
Appendix 1 127
Appendix 2 130
Appendix 3 132
Appendix 4 144

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