TY - JOUR

T1 - Local Responses to Global Integration in a Transnational Professional Service Firm

AU - Klimkeit, Dirk

AU - Reihlen, Markus

PY - 2016/9/1

Y1 - 2016/9/1

N2 - This study examines the transfer of management practices from a regional headquarters to the local subsidiaries in a transnational professional service firm. Using an in-depth case study of a top-tier transnational professional service firm, we develop an empirically grounded theory. We analyse how partners of local subsidiaries responded to a global integration initiative and identify contingencies that influenced partners' responses to pressures of conformity from the regional headquarters. We found a broad diversity of responses ranging from complying to open resistance when adopting the management practice locally. This diversity of responses is explained by three major categories emerging from our data - local fit, linking practices, and subsidiary resources. By focusing our attention on individual actors and their responses in the light of a multiplicity of institutional interests, norms, and beliefs, this article seeks to expand the global-local debate in multinational corporations.

AB - This study examines the transfer of management practices from a regional headquarters to the local subsidiaries in a transnational professional service firm. Using an in-depth case study of a top-tier transnational professional service firm, we develop an empirically grounded theory. We analyse how partners of local subsidiaries responded to a global integration initiative and identify contingencies that influenced partners' responses to pressures of conformity from the regional headquarters. We found a broad diversity of responses ranging from complying to open resistance when adopting the management practice locally. This diversity of responses is explained by three major categories emerging from our data - local fit, linking practices, and subsidiary resources. By focusing our attention on individual actors and their responses in the light of a multiplicity of institutional interests, norms, and beliefs, this article seeks to expand the global-local debate in multinational corporations.

KW - Management studies

KW - global integration

KW - multinational corporation

KW - practice transfer

KW - professional service firm

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85028949127&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1093/jpo/jov008

DO - 10.1093/jpo/jov008

M3 - Journal articles

VL - 3

SP - 39

EP - 61

JO - Journal of Professions and Organization

JF - Journal of Professions and Organization

SN - 2051-8803

IS - 1

M1 - jov008

ER -