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An Exploratory Study on International R&D Strategies of Chinese Companies in Europe

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  • Alberto Di Minin
  • Jieyin Zhang

Abstract

We here present a study that arms the reader with various discussion points on the research and development (R&D) foreign direct investment (FDI) strategies of Chinese multinational corporations (MNCs) in Europe. Through archival research and interviews, we adopted a multi‐case study approach to investigate how significant are these investments and how relevant do they become for the local innovation systems. Our analysis shows that the establishment of R&D centers, and more importantly the evolution of these centers, does not coincide with what international business theories would have predicted. The Chinese MNCs considered entered Europe in a variety of forms, guided by various learning goals. However, we found evidence of the growing tendency of these companies to insulate themselves from local partners and to engage in less explorative and more exploitative R&D activity, adapting technologies developed elsewhere for the European market, gaining access to good indigenous labor and technologies rather than to local partnerships.

Suggested Citation

  • Alberto Di Minin & Jieyin Zhang, 2010. "An Exploratory Study on International R&D Strategies of Chinese Companies in Europe," Review of Policy Research, Policy Studies Organization, vol. 27(4), pages 433-455, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:revpol:v:27:y:2010:i:4:p:433-455
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1541-1338.2010.00450.x
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    Cited by:

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    2. Martin Falk, 2012. "Determinants of Greenfield Investment in Knowledge Intensive Business Services," FIW Research Reports series IV-002, FIW.
    3. Ni Gao & Johannes Schaaper, 2018. "Chinese Foreign Direct Investment in France: Motivations and Management Style," Post-Print hal-03255216, HAL.
    4. repec:wsr:ecbook:2010:i:iv-002 is not listed on IDEAS
    5. Golonka, Monika, 2015. "Proactive cooperation with strangers: Enhancing complexity of the ICT firms' alliance portfolio and their innovativeness," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 33(3), pages 168-178.
    6. Ruilin Yang & Harald Bathelt, 2022. "China's outward investment activity: Ambiguous findings in the literature and empirical trends in greenfield investments," Growth and Change, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 53(1), pages 313-341, March.
    7. Falk, Martin, 2016. "A gravity model of foreign direct investment in the hospitality industry," Tourism Management, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 225-237.
    8. Achcaoucaou, Fariza & Miravitlles, Paloma & León-Darder, Fidel, 2014. "Knowledge sharing and subsidiary R&D mandate development: A matter of dual embeddedness," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 23(1), pages 76-90.
    9. Simone Corsi & Alberto Di Minin, 2011. "Disruptive Innovation…in Reverse: a Theoretical Framework to Look at New Product Development from Emerging Economies," Working Papers 201104, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna of Pisa, Istituto di Management.
    10. Monika Golonka, 2014. "Interfirm cooperation and uncertainty: a study in the ICT Industry," Proceedings of International Academic Conferences 0300971, International Institute of Social and Economic Sciences.
    11. Martin Falk, 2013. "New Empirical Findings for International Investment in Intangible Assets. WWWforEurope Working Paper No. 30," WIFO Studies, WIFO, number 46891, February.
    12. Martin Falk, 2016. "Austria 2025 – Corporate Investment in Austria. Stylised Facts, Impacts, Determinants and Investment Policies," WIFO Studies, WIFO, number 59183, February.

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