Title: R&D and knowledge: a theoretical assessment of the internationalisation strategies

Authors: Rui T. Dias, Stefano Bresciani

Addresses: Dipartimento di Economia Aziendale, Facolta di Economia, Universita degli Studi di Torino, Corso Unione Sovietica, 218 bis, 10134 Torino, Italy. ' Dipartimento di Economia Aziendale, Facolta di Economia, Universita degli Studi di Torino, Corso Unione Sovietica, 218 bis, 10134 Torino, Italy

Abstract: We make a literature review on the process of internationalisation, and the process of Research and Development (R&D). Firm is considered as a repository of specific knowledge. Knowledge is a key resource that plays a vital role in long-term performance of the firm. In this context, the geographical dispersion of the firm brings important consequences: the firm extends its structure to protect or replicate knowledge-based assets effectively; the renewal of knowledge-based assets is a process conditioned by the optimisation procedure that takes into consideration the new structure of the firm; the power hierarchy of the firm will be affected by the exercise of control over the knowledge. We conducted an intensive survey of the literature. Research and Development is a process by which firms might reconvert themselves and create richness, by cutting and leaving behind old techniques and products.

Keywords: multinational corporations; research and development; R&D; knowledge transfer; strategic behaviour; internationalisation strategies; innovation; knowledge management; MNCs.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTPM.2006.010070

International Journal of Technology, Policy and Management, 2006 Vol.6 No.1, pp.1 - 32

Published online: 14 Jun 2006 *

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