Exploring the effects of human capital loss on relationships with clients in knowledge-intensive service firms and the moderating effect of knowledge management

• This study aims to examine the effects of human capital loss on relationships with clients in knowledge-intensive born global firms, and explain how firms address the challenges resulting from employee attrition. In so doing, this study applies a dynamic capability-based approach and suggests ways of minimising customers’ concern about attrition. Relationship transparency is assumed to be a crucial factor for sustaining long-term relationships with customers and reaffirming service firms’ ability to accomplish their commitment and client projects satisfactorily. The findings of this study suggest that development of knowledge retention and sharing capabilities enhances the transparency and reduces the relationship uncertainties resulting from human capital loss. In illustrating the theoretical assumption, the study draws on material derived from four case studies of Indian knowledge-intensive service firms. The findings contribute to the literature on business-to-business relationship marketing, and born global.

Subject headings

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Ekonomi och näringsliv -- Företagsekonomi (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Economics and Business -- Business Administration (hsv//eng)

Keyword

employee attrition

client relationships management

born global

B2B marketing

internationalisation of Indian firms

företagsekonomi

Business Administration

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)