Knowledge transfer in developed-developing country interfirm collaborations: a conceptual framework Bedman Narteh Abstract Purpose – The aim of the paper is to explore the theoretical underpinnings of knowledge transfer within developed-developing country based interfirm collaborations and to develop a theoretical model on knowledge transfer in interfirm collaborations. Design/ methodology/approach – The vast literature on knowledge transfer in interfirm collaborations has been reviewed. A synthesis of this prior research has resulted in a theoretical model on knowledge transfer, especially between developed-developing country based firms. Findings – The reviews have resulted in the conceptual framework proposed here. The model distinguishes the sources of knowledge to be transferred and the antecedents to the knowledge transfer from the transfer process. Tentative propositions are also developed that could be explored during empirical investigations. Originality/value – The framework presented provides a deeper understanding of the characteristics of transferors and transferees as well as their interaction and how these influence knowledge transfer across firm borders. Previous papers have failed to clarify this distinction between unique and relationship factors. The model thus advances theory on knowledge transfer between strategic alliances partners and provides practical insights into the management of knowledge within alliances. Keywords Knowledge transfer, Developing countries Paper type Conceptual paper Introduction Knowledge has emerged as one of the strategic resources of a firm (Grant, 1996; Argote and Ingram, 2000). Scholars have argued that while other organizational resources are easily amenable to imitation by competitors, or could easily be acquired on the market, (Kogut and Zander, 1995; Das and Teng, 2000) knowledge is mostly protected through intellectual property rights and because of its fluid nature, it is not easily imitated by competitors. As such, firms that possess this intangible organizational resource could achieve sustained competitive advantage (Barney, 1991; Argote and Ingram, 2000). Knowledge transfer through interfirm collaborations, a process by which a firm makes its knowledge stock available to other firm(s) within collaborative ventures has assumed an alarming interest among international business scholars (Inkpen and Crossan, 1995; Mowery et al., 1996; Khana et al., 1998; Inkpen, 1998; 2000; Kale et al., 2000). Knowledge transfer, especially through strategic alliances, has become a shot gun approach for a firm to acquire knowledge that it could not easily develop within its confines. Corporate giants such as Toyota and General Motors were said to have formed the NUMMI alliance so that they could leverage on the knowledge bases of each other to enhance their competitiveness (Keller, 1989). Thus international strategic alliances have been variously described as learning or knowledge acquisition alliances (Hamel, 1991; Doz, 1996; Khana et al., 1998; Inkpen, 2000). Hamel (1991) through his empirical work between North American and Japanese alliances found out that sometimes the learning that occurs may assume a race, with the fastest learner winning the race or, as Inkpen and Beamish (1997) found, terminate the alliance or set up a new bargaining position within the alliance using the new knowledge PAGE 78 j JOURNAL OF KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT j VOL. 12 NO. 1 2008, pp. 78-91, Q Emerald Group Publishing Limited, ISSN 1367-3270 DOI 10.1108/13673270810852403 Bedman Narteh is a Lecturer based in the Department of Marketing, University of Ghana Business School, Legon, Ghana.