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The R&D activity of multinational enterprises in peripheral economies: evidence from the EU new member states

Author

Listed:
  • Narula, Rajneesh

    (John H. Dunning Centre for International Business, Henley Business School, University of Reading)

  • Guimon, Jose

    (Department of Economic Structure and Development Economics, Faculty of Economics, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid)

Abstract

This paper explores the impact of MNEs on innovation systems and the policy options available for peripheral economies to attract and embed the R&D activities of MNEs. After developing the conceptual and policy framework, we discuss the case of the new member states from Central and Eastern Europe that joined the EU between 2004 and 2007. We analyse the evolution of the R&D activity of MNE subsidiaries since the 1980s, contrasting the new member states with the core and Mediterranean countries of the EU. This analysis is useful to illustrate some common challenges for peripheral economies, including the difficulty of building linkages with MNEs in high value adding activities; the risk of crowding-out of domestic R&D following cross-border acquisitions; the risk of external dependency; and the limitations of protectionist policies. We recommend that governments of peripheral economies focus their efforts on fostering a demand-oriented upgrading of technological capabilities and on stimulating domestic linkages and clusters around MNEs, rather than seeking to attract supply-driven R&D.

Suggested Citation

  • Narula, Rajneesh & Guimon, Jose, 2010. "The R&D activity of multinational enterprises in peripheral economies: evidence from the EU new member states," MERIT Working Papers 2010-048, United Nations University - Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (MERIT).
    • Handle: RePEc:unm:unumer:2010048
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    File URL: https://unu-merit.nl/publications/wppdf/2010/wp2010-048.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    8. Damijan, Joze P. & Knell, Mark & Majcen, Boris & Rojec, Matija, 2003. "The role of FDI, R&D accumulation and trade in transferring technology to transition countries: evidence from firm panel data for eight transition countries," Economic Systems, Elsevier, vol. 27(2), pages 189-204, June.
    9. Agrawal, Ajay & Cockburn, Iain, 2003. "The anchor tenant hypothesis: exploring the role of large, local, R&D-intensive firms in regional innovation systems," International Journal of Industrial Organization, Elsevier, vol. 21(9), pages 1227-1253, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. Guimón, José & Salazar, Juan Carlos, 2014. "Collaboration in innovation between foreign subsidiaries and local universities: evidence from Spain," Papers in Innovation Studies 2014/5, Lund University, CIRCLE - Centre for Innovation Research.
    2. Kiss, János, 2014. "Az innováció hatása a vállalati teljesítményre és versenyképességre [The impact of innovation activities on firms performance and competitiveness]," Közgazdasági Szemle (Economic Review - monthly of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences), Közgazdasági Szemle Alapítvány (Economic Review Foundation), vol. 0(3), pages 299-314.
    3. Lewandowska, Małgorzata Stefania & Szymura-Tyc, Maja & Gołębiowski, Tomasz, 2016. "Innovation complementarity, cooperation partners, and new product export: Evidence from Poland," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 69(9), pages 3673-3681.
    4. Moreira, Paulo Pires, 2015. "The Role of Seaports for Portuguese Economic Recovery: The Port of Sines," MPRA Paper 66287, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    5. Cano-Kollmann Marcelo & Mudambi Ram & Tavares-Lehmann Ana Teresa, 2022. "The geographical dispersion of inventor networks in peripheral economies," ZFW – Advances in Economic Geography, De Gruyter, vol. 66(1), pages 49-63, May.
    6. Eric Rugraff, 2014. "Foreign direct R&D investment in Central Europe: where do we stand?," Working Papers of BETA 2014-22, Bureau d'Economie Théorique et Appliquée, UDS, Strasbourg.
    7. Małgorzata Stefania Lewandowska & Tomasz Gołębiowski & Maja Szymura-Tyc & Małgorzata Rószkiewicz, 2017. "Komplementarność innowacji a eksport nowych produktów," Gospodarka Narodowa. The Polish Journal of Economics, Warsaw School of Economics, issue 1, pages 95-117.
    8. Elif Kalayci & Mehmet Teoman Pamukçu, 2011. "Analysis of Foreign Ownership, R&D and Spillovers in Developing Countries: Evidence from Turkey," Working Papers 642, Economic Research Forum, revised 10 Jan 2011.
    9. Szalavetz, Andrea, 2019. "Industry 4.0 and capability development in manufacturing subsidiaries," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 145(C), pages 384-395.
    10. Gauselmann, Andrea, 2013. "R&D Co-operation in European Post-transition Economies," IWH Discussion Papers 4/2013, Halle Institute for Economic Research (IWH).
    11. Maciej Bukowski & Piotr Lewandowski & Iza Sobiech & Andrzej Zurawski & Jan Gaska & Aleksander Sniegocki, 2011. "Employment in Poland 2010. Integration and Globalization," Books and Reports published by IBS, Instytut Badan Strukturalnych, number zwp2010 edited by Maciej Bukowski, january.
    12. Margit Kirs & Veiko Lember & Erkki Karo, 2021. "Technology transfer in economic periphery: Emerging patterns and policy challenges," Review of Policy Research, Policy Studies Organization, vol. 38(6), pages 677-706, November.
    13. José Guimón* & Sergey Filippov, 2012. "Competing for High-quality FDI: Management Challenges for Investment Promotion Agencies," Institutions and Economies (formerly known as International Journal of Institutions and Economies), Faculty of Economics and Administration, University of Malaya, vol. 4(2), pages 25-44, July.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    European Union; FDI; investment; innovation systems; innovation policies; linkages; MNE; multinational enterprises; new member states; peripheral economies; R&D;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O32 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Management of Technological Innovation and R&D
    • F23 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - Multinational Firms; International Business
    • P33 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Socialist Institutions and Their Transitions - - - International Trade, Finance, Investment, Relations, and Aid

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