Title: The expansion of emerging economies' multinationals: the case of Embraer in Portugal

Authors: Andrea Goldstein, Manuel Mira Godinho

Addresses: OECD/HAP, 2 rue Andre Pascal, 75775 Paris Cedex 16, France. ' Instituto Superior de Economia e Gestao, Universidade Tecnica de Lisboa, Rua Miguel Lupi 20 1249-078 Lisboa, Portugal

Abstract: Embraer, a Brazilian aircraft manufacturer, has transformed itself after privatisation in 1992 to become a world market leader in a high-tech industry traditionally dominated by OECD-based companies. In recent years Embraer has also become an aggressive foreign investor and took over Portugal|s OMGA in 2005 as part of a privatisation process. This paper analyses the organisational processes being deployed to consolidate the existing knowledge base and build new capabilities. We argue that OGMA top management lacked a clear view about how to integrate technology, organisational change and marketing to achieve competitiveness, whereas at Embraer management played a key role in aligning innovation for dynamic capabilities in different areas. We also examine the implications of the industry slowdown that has hit Embraer, and other companies, since 2008. Finally the paper addresses Embraer|s recent manufacturing expansion in Portugal by investing in a green site where it intends to install two new plants.

Keywords: aerospace industry; foreign direct investment; FDI; organisational learning; knowledge management; technology strategy; latecomer firms; emerging economies; Brazil; Portugal; MNCs; multinational corporations; aircraft manufacturing; technology integration; organisational change; marketing; innovation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTLID.2010.036492

International Journal of Technological Learning, Innovation and Development, 2010 Vol.3 No.3, pp.226 - 244

Published online: 03 Nov 2010 *

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