Technological drivers of R&D location

We discuss the link between corporate R&D internationalization strategies and the countries' technological specialisation. Technological proximity and a country specialisation in emerging technologies are key technological determinants for the location of foreign R&D investments of MNCs. These results imply that countries' technological profiles shape the type of R&D activities they are able to attract. Important policy implications reside in the fact that emerging technologies often derive from the use of existing technologies for new purposes and that radical innovations steam from the (re)combination of mature and emerging technologies from different domains are presented. Accordingly, countries willing to attract R&D-based investments should facilitate the cross-fertilization of existing and new fields and industries.

Authors:

DOSSO Mafini, VEZZANI Antonio