Knowledge transfer as a means for relationship development: A Kazakhstan-foreign international joint venture illustration

Developing effective international joint ventures (IJVs) is critical for fi rms entering economies in transition, such as Kazakhstan. The resource-base d view of the firm forms the foundation to examine the influence of knowled ge transfer between IJV partners. Traditionally, the transfer of knowledge between IJV partners has been theorized to lessen dependence, increasing IJ V instability. However, the relationship development literature indicates t hat the exchange of assets between partners can strengthen relationship tie s, enhancing IJV stability. The authors use a sample of 87 matched dyads fr om two-party IJVs formed in Kazakhstan to examine the influence of knowledg e transfer between IJV partners on commitment and resulting satisfaction. T he results, supportive of relationship development theory, indicate that Ka zakhstan-foreign IJVs with higher levels of knowledge transfer resulted in higher levels of firms' commitment to and satisfaction with their relations hips, thus supporting a relationship development perspective of knowledge t ransfer. The authors address implications for academics and practitioners.