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Multinational firms and the creation of technological linkages in Italy

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Listed:
  • Claudio Cozza
  • Antonello Zanfei

Abstract

Using empirical evidence from the Italian R&D survey, we assess the ability of multinational firms in setting-up technological linkages (Extra-muros R&D and R&D cooperation). We have found that Italian multinationals are more prone to perform Extra-muros R&D, while foreign multinationals are better at developing R&D cooperation. However, when selecting only the linkages with local counterparts, we find that foreign multinationals have no advantage vis-a-vis Italian firms; while multinationals still have some advantages in setting-up R&D cooperation with local universities. Results suggest that foreign multinationals can generally exploit “economies of common governance” when setting-up technical linkages, but they face relative disadvantages in terms of embeddedness in local systems. Este artículo, con datos sobre I+D en Italia, mide la capacidad de las empresas multinacionales de crear enlaces tecnológicos (I+D Extra-muros y Cooperación en I+D). Se encuentra que las multinacionales italianas son más propensas en hacer I+D Extramuros, mientras las multinacionales extranjeras desarrollan más la Cooperación en I+D. De todas formas, seleccionando solo a los aliados locales, se obtiene que las multinacionales extranjeras no tienen ventajas en comparación con las empresas italianas, salvo que en el caso de la Cooperación en I+D con universidades. Estos resultados implican que las empresas multinacionales pueden explotar economías de bienes comunes, pero tienen dificultades para integrarse a los sistemas locales.

Suggested Citation

  • Claudio Cozza & Antonello Zanfei, 2018. "Multinational firms and the creation of technological linkages in Italy," Revista Cuadernos de Economia, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, FCE, CID, vol. 37(74), pages 429-442, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:col:000093:016998
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Cozza, Claudio & Perani, Giulio & Zanfei, Antonello, 2016. "Are multinationals better at creating technical linkages with local firms?," Papers in Innovation Studies 2016/14, Lund University, CIRCLE - Centre for Innovation Research.
    2. Davide Castellani & Maria Mancusi & Grazia Santangelo & Antonello Zanfei, 2015. "Exploring the links between offshoring and innovation," Economia e Politica Industriale: Journal of Industrial and Business Economics, Springer;Associazione Amici di Economia e Politica Industriale, vol. 42(1), pages 1-7, March.
    3. Claudio Cozza & Antonello Zanfei, 2016. "Firm heterogeneity, absorptive capacity and technical linkages with external parties in Italy," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 41(4), pages 872-890, August.
    4. Crescenzi, Riccardo & Gagliardi, Luisa & Iammarino, Simona, 2015. "Foreign multinationals and domestic innovation: Intra-industry effects and firm heterogeneity," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 44(3), pages 596-609.
    5. Davide Castellani & Antonello Zanfei, 2006. "Multinational Firms, Innovation and Productivity," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 3709.
    6. Bernhard Dachs & Robert Stehrer & Georg Zahradnik (ed.), 2014. "The Internationalisation of Business R&D," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 15591.
    7. Zanfei, Antonello, 2000. "Transnational Firms and the Changing Organisation of Innovative Activities," Cambridge Journal of Economics, Cambridge Political Economy Society, vol. 24(5), pages 515-542, September.
    8. Claudio Cozza & Antonello Zanfei, 2014. "The cross border R&D activity of italian business firms," ECONOMIA E POLITICA INDUSTRIALE, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2014(3), pages 39-64.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Multinational firms; R&D; technological linkages; universities;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F10 - International Economics - - Trade - - - General
    • F23 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - Multinational Firms; International Business
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes

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