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Knowledge Transfer in Offshore Outsourcing: A Case Study of Japanese and Vietnamese Software Companies

Knowledge Transfer in Offshore Outsourcing: A Case Study of Japanese and Vietnamese Software Companies

Nguyen Thu Huong, Umemoto Katsuhiro, Dam Hieu Chi
Copyright: © 2011 |Volume: 19 |Issue: 2 |Pages: 18
ISSN: 1062-7375|EISSN: 1533-7995|EISBN13: 9781466600003|DOI: 10.4018/jgim.2011040102
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MLA

Huong, Nguyen Thu, et al. "Knowledge Transfer in Offshore Outsourcing: A Case Study of Japanese and Vietnamese Software Companies." JGIM vol.19, no.2 2011: pp.27-44. http://doi.org/10.4018/jgim.2011040102

APA

Huong, N. T., Katsuhiro, U., & Chi, D. H. (2011). Knowledge Transfer in Offshore Outsourcing: A Case Study of Japanese and Vietnamese Software Companies. Journal of Global Information Management (JGIM), 19(2), 27-44. http://doi.org/10.4018/jgim.2011040102

Chicago

Huong, Nguyen Thu, Umemoto Katsuhiro, and Dam Hieu Chi. "Knowledge Transfer in Offshore Outsourcing: A Case Study of Japanese and Vietnamese Software Companies," Journal of Global Information Management (JGIM) 19, no.2: 27-44. http://doi.org/10.4018/jgim.2011040102

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Abstract

This paper discusses the knowledge transfer process in offshore outsourcing. The focus is a case study of software offshore outsourcing from Japan to Vietnam. Initial results confirm that willingness to cooperate and good impressions facilitate the knowledge transfer process. In addition, communication barriers, cultural differences, lack of equivalence in individual competence, and lack of common rules slow down the transfer process. The study also identifies the Bridge System Engineer (Bridge SE)-a type of coordinator who mediates and enhances the relationship between Japanese clients and Vietnamese service providers. Employing a Bridge SE is an effective way to fill the communication gap, the cultural gap, and generally improve the business relationship. Bridge SEs use their background of higher education and long-term residence in Japan to give advice to Vietnamese software teams on Japanese cultural characteristics, such as the apology culture and the separation between work and private time. In other situations, Bridge SEs use their IT background and communication skills to verify and adjust communication contents before information is sent from one side to another.

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