Title: Globalisation of technology development: offshoring of R&D to China, India and Brazil

Authors: Alok K. Chakrabarti, Pradip K. Bhaumik

Addresses: L.M. Thapar School of Management, Thapar University, Patiala, Punjab – 147 004, India. ' International Management Institute, B-10, Qutab Institutional Area, New Delhi – 110 016, India

Abstract: Fundamental shifts in the mode, the geography and the personnel of global technology development are taking place in the wake of increasing globalisation of economies and rapid technological changes. Many large multinational corporations are focusing on building global innovation networks, comprising of R&D units located in clusters of excellence around the world, including many developing economies. In this paper we take a close look at this emerging phenomenon – particularly the developments taking place in China, India and Brazil. By using US patents as indicators, this study seeks to detect the trends in the technical activities, the innovative capability, the ownership of the intellectual property and the quality of technology developed in these countries.

Keywords: globalisation; offshoring; R&D; research and development; China; India; Brazil; patents; science and technology; technology development; multinational corporations; MNCs; global innovation networks; industry clusters; developing countries; innovative capability; intellectual property ownership; technology quality; innovation; technological change.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEME.2010.034600

International Journal of Engineering Management and Economics, 2010 Vol.1 No.1, pp.68 - 79

Published online: 12 Aug 2010 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article