Int. J. Strategic Business Alliances, Vol. 5, No. 2, 2016 155 Copyright © 2016 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd. Individual learning effects on knowledge transfer in international joint ventures: an exploratory framework Li Thuy Dao* Department of Business and Management, International Business Centre, Aalborg University, Fibigerstraede 4, Aalborg 9220, Denmark Email: lidao@business.aau.dk *Corresponding author Nancy K. Napier College of Business and Economics, Boise State University, 1910 University Drive, Boise, ID 83725-1600, USA Email: nnapier@boisestate.edu Abstract: This paper examines micro (individual-level)-aspects of knowledge transfer and learning in international joint ventures in an emerging economy context. Learning by expatriate and local managers appears far more complex, mutually dependent, and significant to the knowledge transfer process than suggested in the existing literature. Building upon conceptualisations of individual learning and cognitive - behavioural effects in an organisational context while drawing evidence from two cases of Danish - Vietnamese joint ventures, we propose a model of individual-level knowledge transfer and learning in IJVs. With this model, we expect to enhance our understanding of micro-foundations of learning in emerging economy joint ventures and to encourage future research that takes individual learning effects into consideration. Keywords: behavioural learning; cognitive learning; emerging economy; expatriate manager; individual learning; international joint venture; knowledge transfer; local manager. Reference to this paper should be made as follows: Dao, L.T. and Napier, N.K. (2016) ‘Individual learning effects on knowledge transfer in international joint ventures: an exploratory framework’, Int. J. Strategic Business Alliances, Vol. 5, No. 2, pp.155–175. Bibliographical notes: Li Thuy Dao is a Postdoc Fellow at the International Business Centre, Aalborg University. She holds a PhD in intercultural management (Aalborg University). Her major research interests are cross- border inter-firm collaboration and knowledge transfer, cross-cultural leadership and management, and leadership in a qualitative perspective. Her work has appeared as book chapters published by Adonis & Abbey Publishers and Copenhagen Business School Press.