DANIELLA FJELLSTRÓM

Research Title (working title)
Culture, language and motivation in cross-cultural knowledge transfer: evidence from Swedish MNEs in China.

Research Topic:
Knowledge transfer; qualitative research; language

Research Description:
The aim of this research is to illuminate the combining factors of self-determination theory (SDT), culture and language in order to explain how these aspects influence the knowledge transfer (KT) on an individual level in a cross-cultural setting. Knowledge transfer is predominantly invariably studied at the organisational level, however it is the individuals who make the decisions of when and how to share their valuable business knowledge. As a result researchers need to know how and under what conditions individuals execute these decisions. Therefore, this research will focus on the individual level. By employing a qualitative methodology, case studies, and the interview method, will enhance the in-depth understanding about the research topic. The multi-language approach (i.e. interviews conducted in Swedish, English and Chinese) during the primary data collection will provide important methodological contributions in how language influences the amount of valuable data obtained during interviews in an international setting.

Start date and Research form:
Full time PhD candidate, start date 1 October 2007 

Research supervisor(s):
Professor Peter Buckley, Professor Jeremy Clegg and Dr Hanna Gajewska De Mattos

Background and Experience:
MSc in Business Administration and Economics as major and Management with Information Technology (MIT) as minor; Specialising in International Business.

Professional experience:
- Philips Semiconductors
- Red Cross
- LG Electronics
- Hong Kong Baptist University, David C. Lam institute for East-West studies (LEWI)

Presentations:
- Centre for International Business, CIBUL, The University of Leeds, (Leeds) 2008; 2009; 2010
- Doctoral Colloquium, Academy of International Business UK & Ireland Chapter, (Portsmouth) 2008
- LUBS Doctoral Conference, The University of Leeds, (Leeds) 2008
- Doctoral Annual colloquium, Northern Advanced Research Training Initiative, NARTI, (Durham) 2008 
- LUBS Doctoral Seminar Series, The University of Leeds (Leeds) 2008
- David C. Lam Institute for East-West Studies (LEWI) Hong Kong Baptist University, (Hong Kong) 2009
- EIASM Doctoral Tutorial, European Academy of International Business, EIBA (Valencia), 2009
- Institute for Business Administration (IEF) at University of South Stockholm, (Stockholm), 2010 
- Doctoral Colloquium, Academy of International Business UK & Ireland Chapter, (Dublin) 2010
- EIASM Doctoral Colloquium, European Academy of Management, (Rome) 2010

Awards
The Neil Hood and Stephen Young prize for the Most Original New Work' at the annual Academy of International Business Conference (UK and Ireland Chapter), Doctoral Colloquium, Trinity College Dublin 2010.

Nominated by the Board of Directors in Leeds University Business School for 'Researcher of the Year 2010' at the University of Leeds.