Employee Profile

Sverre Tomassen

Associate Professor - Department of Strategy and Entrepreneurship

Image of Sverre Tomassen

Publications

Dasi, Ángels; Pedersen, Torben, Tomassen, Sverre & Kvålshaugen, Ragnhild (2025)

Integration and governance mechanisms: a multilevel analysis of knowledge adoption in MNCs

Doi: https://doi.org/10.1108/MBR-09-2024-0165

Andersson, Ulf; Benito, Gabriel R G, Lunnan, Randi & Tomassen, Sverre (2025)

Why some are less willing to share: Competitive domains and knowledge transfer in multi-unit organizations

58(4) Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lrp.2025.102537

Adarkwah, Gilbert Kofi; Grøgaard, Birgitte & Tomassen, Sverre (2025)

Impact Investment Firms and Institutionalization in Emerging Countries

, s. 351- 371. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1108/S1745-886220250000019017

The authors examine the effect of impact investments – investments made with the intent to generate social and environmental impact alongside financial returns – on emerging countries. The authors argue that impact investment is effective in fostering positive social and environmental outcomes through institutionalization in host countries. The authors assess their hypotheses on a sample of European impact investment firms in Africa, using a unique hand-collected dataset of investments from 2000 to 2019. The authors find empirical support for their hypotheses. This study extends the international business literature by answering the growing calls among scholars for greater attention to the role of social enterprises in addressing complex social and environmental challenges

Andersson, Ulf; Benito, Gabriel R G, Lunnan, Randi & Tomassen, Sverre (2023)

Why Some are Less Willing to Share:Competitive Domains and Knowledge Transfer in Multi-Unit Organizations

Doi: https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4620947

Lunnan, Randi; Tomassen, Sverre, Andersson, Ulf & Benito, Gabriel R G (2019)

Dealing with headquarters in the multinational corporation: a subsidiary perspective on organizing costs

8(1) , s. 1- 24. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/s41469-019-0052-y - Full text in research archive

This study examines how subsidiaries in multinational corporations (MNCs) experience interactions with corporate headquarters. We conceptualize such interactions in terms of organizing costs, focusing on two key types of costs: bargaining costs and information costs. Specifically, we examine how distance, coordination mechanisms, and atmosphere influence the level of organizing costs in the headquarter-subsidiary relationship. Using survey data collected among 104 subsidiary managers in two MNCs, we show that relationship atmosphere significantly reduces both types of organizing costs, whereas distance increases bargaining costs. We also find that centralization and formalization reduce information costs, whereas social integration, contrary to our hypothesis, increases bargaining costs.

Tomassen, Sverre (2017)

Liabilities of distance: Governance cost dynamics in MNE headquarters-subsidiary relationships

12, s. 445- 470. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1108/S1745-886220170000012023

Lunnan, Randi; Tomassen, Sverre & Benito, Gabriel R G (2016)

Exploring Subsidiaries’ Perceptions of Corporate Headquarters: Subsidiary Initiatives and Organizing Costs

, s. 165- 189. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1108/S1064-485720160000017007

Lunnan, Randi; Tomassen, Sverre & Benito, Gabriel R G (2016)

Exploring subsidiaries’ perceptions of corporate headquarters: Subsidiary initiatives and organizing costs

17, s. 165- 189. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1108/S1064-485720160000017007

Benito, Gabriel R G; Lunnan, Randi & Tomassen, Sverre (2014)

The virtue of in-between pragmatism-a balancing act between responsiveness and integration in a multinational company

27, s. 75- 97. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1108/S1571-502720140000027002

Tomassen, Sverre; Benito, Gabriel R G & Lunnan, Randi (2012)

Governance costs in foreign direct investments: A MNC headquarters challenge

18(3) , s. 233- 246. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intman.2012.02.002

According to transaction cost and internalization theories of multinational enterprises, companies make foreign direct investments (FDI) when the combined costs of operations and governance are lower for FDI than for market or contract based options, such as exports and licensing. Yet, ex post governance costs remain a conjectural construct, which has evaded empirical scrutiny, and the lack of focus on the implications of these costs constitutes a challenge for management in multinational companies (MNCs). What effects does the ensuing establishment of subsidiaries abroad have in terms of governance costs? What factors drive these costs? We hypothesize that such costs are driven by external contingencies as well as factors that characterize a particular company headquarters-subsidiary relationship. Using survey data from Norwegian MNCs, this study investigates 159 MNC-subsidiary relationships. Overall, our framework is corroborated by the data.

Lunnan, Randi; Benito, Gabriel R G & Tomassen, Sverre (2011)

Moving Abroad: Factors that motivate foreign location of headquarter activities

24, s. 127- 152. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1108/S1571-5027(2011)0000024013

Tomassen, Sverre (2011)

Governance costs in international operations: Why do they still concern us?

3(8) , s. 10- 14.

Benito, Gabriel R G; Lunnan, Randi & Tomassen, Sverre (2011)

Distant Encounters of the Third Kind: Multinational Companies Locating Divisional Headquarters Abroad

48(2) , s. 373- 394. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6486.2010.00962.x

Benito, Gabriel & Tomassen, Sverre (2010)

Governance Costs in Headquarters-Subsidiary Relationships

, s. 138- 159.

Tomassen, Sverre & Benito, Gabriel R.G. (2009)

The costs of governance in international companies

18(3) , s. 292- 304. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibusrev.2009.02.005

Benito, Gabriel R.G. & Tomassen, Sverre (2005)

A transaction cost analysis of staffing decisions in internationaloperations

(Vol. 21, no. 1) , s. 101- 126.

Benito, Gabriel R.G. & Tomassen, Sverre (2003)

The Micro-Mechanics of Foreign Operations’ Performance: An Analysis Based on the OLI Framework

, s. 174- 199.

Tomassen, S.; Benito, Gabriel R.G. & Welch, L.S. (1998)

Norwegian companies in India: Operation mode choice

3(1) , s. 1- 19.

Tomassen, Sverre; Welch, Lawrence S. & Benito, Gabriel R. G. (1998)

Norwegian Companies in India: Operation Mode Choice

3(1) , s. 1- 20.

Adarkwah, Gilbert Kofi & Tomassen, Sverre (2024)

IMPACT INVESTMENTS IN EMERGENT MARKETS, DO THEY MATTER? A STUDY OF FEMALE OWNERSHIP IN EMERGING MARKETS

[Conference Lecture]. Event

Tomassen, Sverre & Adarkwah, Gilbert Kofi (2023)

Impact Investment Firms and Institutionalization in High-Risk Countries

[Conference Lecture]. Event

Adarkwah, Gilbert Kofi; Grøgaard, Birgitte & Tomassen, Sverre (2021)

Host Country Policy Risk and Foreign Investments: The Moderating Role of Firms’ Motives

[Conference Lecture]. Event

Andersson, Ulf; Benito, Gabriel R G, Lunnan, Randi & Tomassen, Sverre (2020)

The Puzzling Effects of Social Integration on Knowledge Transfer

[Conference Lecture]. Event

Tomassen, Sverre; Dasi, Ángels, Pedersen, Torben & Kvålshaugen, Ragnhild (2019)

A Multilevel analysis of the Mechanisms for cross-unit knowledge adoption in MNCs.

[Conference Lecture]. Event

Lunnan, Randi; Tomassen, Sverre, Andersson, Ulf & Benito, Gabriel R G (2018)

The down side of social integration: A discussion of precarious HQ-subsidiary relations and knowledge transfer

[Conference Lecture]. Event

Adarkwah, Gilbert Kofi; Grøgaard, Birgitte & Tomassen, Sverre (2018)

The Effect of Institutional Distances and Government Assistance on Ownership Levels in Sub-Saharan African Countries

[Conference Lecture]. Event

We follow the prevalence of MNEs into Africa to examine the impact of institutional distance and governmental assistance on ownership levels across multiple home and host countries. Although recent studies have increasingly heightened the influence of institutional contextual factors on the ownership levels, we know very little about such decisions from the African context. This paper fills this gap by looking at ownership decisions within the uniqueness of the African context. We contribute to the international business literature by testing the theoretical boundaries of ownership decisions when MNEs expand into high risk areas. With 54 countries in our sample, this study throws light on the role of different institutional complexities on ownership decisions.

Tomassen, Sverre & Kvålshaugen, Ragnhild (2017)

The Effect of Coordination Mechanisms on Knowledge Adoption Across Types of Work in MNCs

[Conference Lecture]. Event

Lunnan, Randi; Tomassen, Sverre, Benito, Gabriel R G & Andersson, Ulf (2017)

The Darker Side of Social Integration: A Discussion of Bargaining Costs and Knowledge Transfer

[Conference Lecture]. Event

Tomassen, Sverre; Lunnan, Randi, Andersson, Ulf & Benito, Gabriel R G (2017)

The Dark Side of Social Integration: Knowledge Transfer, Bargaining, and Social Integration Mechanisms

[Conference Lecture]. Event

Lunnan, Randi; Tomassen, Sverre, Andersson, Ulf & Benito, Gabriel R G (2016)

Governance and the Roles of Distance, Coordination, and Relationship Atmosphere in the MNC: A View from the Periphery

[Conference Lecture]. Event

Lunnan, Randi; Tomassen, Sverre, Andersson, Ulf & Benito, Gabriel R G (2016)

A Subsidiary Perspective on Organizing Costs in Multinational Corporations: The Roles of Distance, Coordination and Relationship

[Conference Lecture]. Event

Tomassen, Sverre (2015)

Elucidating the ‘Hidden Costs’ of Foreign Greenfields vs Foreign Acquisitions: Why should We Care?

[Conference Lecture]. Event

Andersson, Ulf; Tomassen, Sverre & Benito, Gabriel R G (2015)

Management Costs Incurred by Headquarters Choice of Foreign Operation Method

[Conference Lecture]. Event

Junni, Paulina; Kvålshaugen, Ragnhild & Tomassen, Sverre (2014)

Leadership culture for knowledge sharing in IPSFs: Do formal transmission channels help or hurt?

[Conference Lecture]. Event

Benito, Gabriel R G; Lunnan, Randi & Tomassen, Sverre (2013)

The virtue of in-between pragmatism – A balancing act between responsiveness and integration in a multinational company

[Conference Lecture]. Event

Kvålshaugen, Ragnhild & Tomassen, Sverre (2013)

Different Governance Mechanisms, Different Benefits: Knowledge Sharing in International Professional Service Firms

[Conference Lecture]. Event

Tomassen, Sverre & Kvålshaugen, Ragnhild (2012)

Different Governance Mechanisms, Different Benefits: Knowledge Sharing in International Professional Service Firms

[Conference Lecture]. Event

Tomassen, Sverre; Benito, Gabriel R G & Lunnan, Randi (2011)

Governance costs in foreign establishment modes: A MNC headquarters puzzle

[Conference Lecture]. Event

Tomassen, Sverre; Benito, Gabriel R G & Lunnan, Randi (2011)

Governance costs in foreign establishment modes: A MNC headquarters puzzle

[Conference Lecture]. Event

Lunnan, Randi; Benito, Gabriel R G & Tomassen, Sverre (2011)

Foreign location and relocation of headquarter activities over time

[Conference Lecture]. Event

Kvålshaugen, Ragnhild & Tomassen, Sverre (2011)

Coordination Mechanisms as Enablers of Knowledge Sharing in International Professional Service Firms

[Conference Lecture]. Event

Tomassen, Sverre & Kvålshaugen, Ragnhild (2010)

Coordination Mechanisms as Enablers of Knowledge Sharing in International Professional Service Firms

[Conference Lecture]. Event

Lunnan, Randi; Benito, Gabriel R G & Tomassen, Sverre (2009)

Leaving the Periphery: The Location of Division Headquarters among Large Norwegian Companies, 2000-2006

[Conference Lecture]. Event

Tomassen, Sverre (2009)

Desperately seeking the right model - subsidiary role changes

[Conference Lecture]. Event

Tomassen, Sverre & Benito, Gabriel R G (2009)

Governance Costs in Headquarter-Subsidiary Relationships

[Conference Lecture]. Event

Tomassen, Sverre & Lunnan, Randi (2009)

Knowledge Transfer and Role Changes

[Conference Lecture]. Event

Benito, Gabriel R G; Lunnan, Randi & Tomassen, Sverre (2008)

Leaving the Periphery: The Location of Division Headquarters among Large Norwegian Companies, 2000-2006

[Conference Lecture]. Event

Tomassen, Sverre; Benito, Gabriel R G & Lunnan, Randi (2008)

Leaving the Periphery: The Location of Division Headquarters among Large Norwegian Companies, 2000-2006

[Conference Lecture]. Event

Tomassen, Sverre & Lunnan, Randi (2008)

Knowledge transfer, role changes, and social capital - a case study of an international professional service firm

[Conference Lecture]. Event

Benito, Gabriel R.G.; Christensen, Sverre, Lunnan, Randi & Tomassen, Sverre (2008)

Fra operativ til strategisk internasjonalisering: En studie av store norske selskapers utflytting av divisjonshovedkontorer

[Report Research].

Forskningsrapporten presenterer funnene fra en undersøkelse av utflytting av hovedkontorer for divisjoner og forretningsområder for selskaper som er børsnotert i Norge. Mens den tradisjonelle internasjonaliseringen – knyttet til salg og produksjon i utlandet – er godt beskrevet og velforklart i litteraturen gjennom et etter hvert betydelig antall teoretiske og empiriske studier av selskapers grenseoverskridende aktiviteter, finnes det få studier av selskapers utflytting av strategiske enheter og funksjoner, så som deres hovedkontorer. Vi utvikler en forskningsmodell der tilbøyeligheten til å flytte divisjonshovedkontorer blir forklart gjennom selskapsfaktorer, eierskapsfaktorer, og bransje­aktorer. Den empiriske delen av undersøkelsen bygger på to casestudier så vel som et paneldatasett over 30 av de største børsnoterte selskapene i Norge gjennom perioden 2000-2006. Hovedkonklusjonene i studien er at både i absolutt og relativ betydning blir hovedkontorfunksjoner for norske selskaper i utlandet betydelig viktigere i løpet av disse årene, og eierskaps­aktorene er samlet sett de som best predikerer hvorvidt utflytting skjer eller ikke. Statlig og konsentrert eierskap motvirker utflytting, men mot forventning finner vi at utenlandsk eierskap ikke fører til økt utflyttingstilbøyelighet.

Hydle, Katja Maria; Lunnan, Randi & Tomassen, Sverre (2008)

Activity linkages in a service MNE: Control,coordination and location

[Conference Lecture]. Event

Benito, Gabriel R G; Lunnan, Randi, Tomassen, Sverre & Listra, Enn (2008)

Leaving the Periphery: The Location of Division Headquarters among Large Norwegian Companies, 2000-2006", International Business and the Catching-up Economies: Challenges and Opportunities

[Conference Lecture]. Event

Tomassen, Sverre; Lunnan, Randi & Hydle, Katja Maria (2008)

Global Management in Service Firms - The Role of Linkages

[Conference Lecture]. Event

Benito, Gabriel R G; Lunnan, Randi & Tomassen, Sverre (2008)

Leaving the Periphery: The Location of Division Headquarters among Large Norwegian Companies, 2000-2006

[Conference Lecture]. Event

Tomassen, Sverre & Benito, Gabriel R.G. (2005)

The Costs of Governance in International Companies: A Study of their Effects on the Performance of Foreign Operations

[Conference Lecture]. Event

Benito, Gabriel R.G.; Bonache-Pérez, Jaime, Pla-Barber, José & Tomassen, Sverre (2003)

A Transaction Cost Analysis of Staffing Decisions in International Operations

[Conference Lecture]. Event

Academic Degrees
Year Academic Department Degree
2004 BI Norwegian Business School Ph.D Dr. Oecon.
1996 BI Norwegian Business School Master of Science
1992 BI Norwegian Business School Bachelor
1982 Oslo Metropolitan University Bachelor
Work Experience
Year Employer Job Title
2003 - Present BI Norwegian Business School Associate Professor, Department of Strategy and Logistics
2023 - 2024 Visiting Scholar, The University of Hong Kong Associate Professor
2017 - 2017 The University of Hong Kong Visiting Scholar
2011 - 2015 BI Norwegian Business School Associate Dean Executive Master of Management
2014 - 2014 University of Hong Kong Visiting Scholar
2008 - 2009 BI Norwegian Business School Head of Department, Department of Strategy and Logistics
1995 - 2003 BI Norwegian Business School Lecturer
1999 - 2002 BI Norwegian Business School Doctoral Fellow, Department of Strategy (50%)
1999 - 2002 BI Norwegian Business School Lecturer (50%)
1988 - 1994 BI Norwegian Business School Administration Manager
1982 - 1987 City of Oslo, Oslo Kommune Social Worker and Social Therapist
1978 - 1980 City of Oslo, Oslo Kommune Social Worker and Social Therapist