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Gouvernance des activités de R&D à l’étranger par les firmes multinationales:contribution de la théorie fondée sur les ressource

Author

Listed:
  • Dhikra Chebbi Nekhili

    (Université de Bourgogne)

  • Mehdi Nekhili

    (Université de Reims Champagne Ardennes)

  • Frédéric Nlemvo

    (Groupe ESC Troyes)

Abstract

(VF)L’objectif de cet article est d’expliquer le choix des modes de gouvernance des activités de R&D entreprises par les firmes multinationales à l’étranger. Principalement, trois modes de gouvernance sont identifiés : l’internalisation totale des activités de R&D au sein d’une filiale (créée ou acquise) à l’étranger, les alliances en R&D (avec ou sans prise de participation) et l’externalisation totale de ces activités. Dans la perspective de la théorie fondée sur les ressources, le choix d’un mode par rapport à un autre s’explique par le souhait des firmes multinationales de construire un avantage concurrentiel en comblant l’écart entre les ressources réellement détenues et les ressources qu’elles souhaitent acquérir. A travers une étude quantitative de 67 firmes multinationales européennes et nord-américaines, nous montrons que les licences unilatérales sont utilisées en cas de non-disponibilité des ressources en interne et que les alliances sans prise de participation, par opposition aux alliances avec prise de participation, sont choisies lorsque les connaissances à transférer sont codifiables.(VA)The objective of this paper is to explain the choice of governance modes of foreign R&D activities by multinational firms. Mainly, three governance modes are identified: the complete internalization of R&D activities in a wholly owned subsidiary (created or acquired), the R&D alliances (equity alliances or non-equity alliances) and the complete externalization. According to the Resource Based View (RBV), the choice of a mode over another is due to the desire of multinational firms to build a competitive advantage in bridging the gap between resources actually held and resources that they wish to acquire. Through a study of 67 European and North-American multinational firms, our article shows that the unilateral licensing agreements are used in the case of the lack of internal resources. However, non-equity alliances, conversely to equity alliances, are chosen when the knowledge to be transferred is codified.

Suggested Citation

  • Dhikra Chebbi Nekhili & Mehdi Nekhili & Frédéric Nlemvo, 2009. "Gouvernance des activités de R&D à l’étranger par les firmes multinationales:contribution de la théorie fondée sur les ressource," Working Papers CREGO 1090502, Université de Bourgogne - CREGO EA7317 Centre de recherches en gestion des organisations.
    • Handle: RePEc:dij:wpfarg:1090502
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    R&D; externalisation; théorie fondée sur les ressources; externalization; ressource based view.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F23 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - Multinational Firms; International Business
    • L22 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Firm Organization and Market Structure

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