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How does Internationalisation affect the productivity of R&D activities in large innovative firms? A conditional nonparametric investigation

Author

Listed:
  • Patricia Laurens

    (LISIS, Univ Gustave Eiffel, ESIEE Paris, CNRS, INRAE)

  • Pierluigi Toma

    (University of Salento)

  • Antoine Schoen

    (LISIS, Univ Gustave Eiffel, ESIEE Paris, CNRS, INRAE)

  • Cinzia Daraio

    (Sapienza University of Rome)

  • Philippe Larédo

    (LISIS, Univ Gustave Eiffel, ESIEE Paris, CNRS, INRAE
    University of Manchester, AMBS, Manchester Institute of innovation Research)

Abstract

This work explores the relationship between multinational R&D and innovation productivity among top corporate knowledge and R&D producers by adopting a twofold concept of internationalisation: (1) the firm’s degree of R&D internationalisation, and (2) the firm’s geographic diversification. We model the patent production process with an appropriate and robust conditional Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) estimator, using a unique database of firms that matches financial indicators and patent information. Our results reinforce the fundamental role of internationalisation in the knowledge production process when the internationalisation process is properly and strategically managed. We interpret our empirical evidence through the theoretical lens of the learning theory of internationalisation, and we postulate that a high R&D intensity is a key driver to overcoming the challenges of internationalisation.

Suggested Citation

  • Patricia Laurens & Pierluigi Toma & Antoine Schoen & Cinzia Daraio & Philippe Larédo, 2023. "How does Internationalisation affect the productivity of R&D activities in large innovative firms? A conditional nonparametric investigation," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 57(2), pages 1079-1100, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:qualqt:v:57:y:2023:i:2:d:10.1007_s11135-022-01391-z
    DOI: 10.1007/s11135-022-01391-z
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    R&D productivity; Multinationality; Conditional efficiency; Patents; DEA modelling;
    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
    • L25 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Firm Performance
    • C44 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods: Special Topics - - - Operations Research; Statistical Decision Theory

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