Do parent units benefit from reverse knowledge transfer?

Emerging market multinationals resort to knowledge acquisitions from their overseas subsidiaries to springboard and realise their global ambitions. Drawing from the knowledge-based view and social capital perspective, this study explores the effects of organisational collaboration and tacitness on multiple dimensions of reverse knowledge transfer (RKT). Data were collected through a survey, from senior and middle level managers of parent Indian multinationals, pertaining to RKT from their overseas subsidiaries. The hypotheses are analysed using PLS modelling. The results demonstrate positive effects between the extent and benefits of RKT. Collaboration was found to have a positive influence on both dimensions of RKT. Tacitness also has a positive impact on the benefits from RKT. The implications of the findings and the limitations of the study are discussed along with suggestions for future research.