Title: Internationalisation of research and development in western European, Japanese and North American multinationals

Authors: Guido Reger

Addresses: Institute for Innovation and Internationalisation (I3), University of Applied Sciences Brandenburg, Magdeburger Strasse 50, D-14770 Brandenburg, Germany

Abstract: The analyses presented here are based on a survey among senior technology officers from 209 large companies from Western Europe, North America and Japan. The empirical results show a growing trend towards the internationalisation of research and development (R&D) in industry. Further, a significant difference in the degree and the ways of R&D internationalisation can be observed. Japanese companies have the lowest internationalised research and development activities compared to the North American and western European corporations. Whereas the Japanese and North American companies strongly follow a concept of generating technology at home, the western European companies give more room to build up centres of excellence and their own competences in R&D units abroad.

Keywords: internationalisation; innovation management; R&D management; centres of excellence.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEIM.2002.000480

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management, 2002 Vol.2 No.2/3, pp.164-185

Published online: 16 Jul 2003 *

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