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National scientific capacity and R&D offshoring

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  • Thomson, Russell

Abstract

This paper presents new evidence regarding the role of national scientific capacity in driving patterns of R&D offshoring using a larger and more comprehensive dataset than has hitherto been used and applying it in a gravity model framework. Our results unambiguously support the importance of inventor country scientific capacity in attracting offshored R&D. As expected, the home country's scientific capacity is also found to play a positive role. We find that in fact, on average, firms source technology from less technologically advanced nations, suggesting that firms offshore to access niche skills.

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  • Thomson, Russell, 2013. "National scientific capacity and R&D offshoring," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 42(2), pages 517-528.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:respol:v:42:y:2013:i:2:p:517-528
    DOI: 10.1016/j.respol.2012.07.003
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    2. Jérôme Danguy, 2013. "Essays on the globalization of innovation using patent-based indicators," ULB Institutional Repository 2013/209409, ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles.
    3. Urbatsch, R., 2020. "Do expert surveys underrate lower-income countries?," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 49(8).
    4. Jérôme Danguy, 2017. "Globalization of innovation production: A patent-based industry analysis," Science and Public Policy, Oxford University Press, vol. 44(1), pages 75-94.
    5. Heike Belitz, 2014. "Motive der Internationalisierung von Forschung und Entwicklung," DIW Roundup: Politik im Fokus 29, DIW Berlin, German Institute for Economic Research.
    6. Puškárová Paula & Zajac Štefan, 2014. "Innovation and Competitiveness of the Slovak Economy: New Evidence of International Impacts in the Knowledge Accumulation Process," International Journal of Management and Economics, Warsaw School of Economics, Collegium of World Economy, vol. 42(1), pages 81-97, June.
    7. Picci, Lucio & Savorelli, Luca, 2015. "The Inventor Balance and the Functional Specialization in Global Inventive Activities," 2007 Annual Meeting, July 29-August 1, 2007, Portland, Oregon TN 2015-20, American Agricultural Economics Association (New Name 2008: Agricultural and Applied Economics Association).
    8. Gaétan de Rassenfosse & Russell Thomson, 2019. "R&D offshoring and home industry productivity," Industrial and Corporate Change, Oxford University Press and the Associazione ICC, vol. 28(6), pages 1497-1513.
    9. Picci, Lucio & Savorelli, Luca, 2015. "The Inventor Balance and the Functional Specialization in Global Inventive Activities," SIRE Discussion Papers 2015-20, Scottish Institute for Research in Economics (SIRE).
    10. Niccolò Pisani & Joan Enric Ricart, 2018. "Offshoring Innovation to Emerging Countries: The Effects of IP Protection and Cultural Differences on Firms’ Decision to Augment Versus Exploit Home-Base-Knowledge," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 58(6), pages 871-909, December.
    11. Elisabeth Arnold & Kathrin Hofmann & Jürgen Janger & Tim Slickers & Gerhard Streicher, 2022. "Wirtschaftliche Effekte von Universitäten. Aktualisierung 2022," WIFO Studies, WIFO, number 69804, July.
    12. Lucio Picci & Luca Savorelli, 2015. "The Inventor Balance and the Functional Specialization in Global Inventive Activities," Discussion Paper Series, School of Economics and Finance 201502, School of Economics and Finance, University of St Andrews, revised 15 Apr 2016.
    13. Andrés Rodríguez-Pose & Callum Wilkie, 2016. "Context and the role of policies to attract foreign R&D in Europe," European Planning Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 24(11), pages 2014-2035, November.
    14. Dettmann, Eva & Dominguez Lacasa, Iciar & Günther, Jutta & Jindra, Björn, 2013. "Determinants of Foreign Technological Activity in German Regions – A Count Model Analysis of Transnational Patents (1996-2009)," IWH Discussion Papers 12/2013, Halle Institute for Economic Research (IWH).
    15. Vojtěch Kadlec & Viktor Květoň & Jana Vlčková & Jiří Blažek & Petr Horák, 2023. "Contrasting patterns and dynamics of patent offshoring in European regions," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 48(4), pages 1300-1326, August.
    16. Paul H. Jensen & Alfons Palangkaraya & Elizabeth Webster, 2013. "Trust, Incomplete Contracts and the Market for Technology," Melbourne Institute Working Paper Series wp2013n03, Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, The University of Melbourne.
    17. Heike Belitz & Anna Lejpras, 2021. "R&D Internationalization Strategies of the World’s Top Corporate R&D Investors," Discussion Papers of DIW Berlin 1942, DIW Berlin, German Institute for Economic Research.
    18. Laurens, Patricia & Le Bas, Christian & Schoen, Antoine & Villard, Lionel & Larédo, Philippe, 2015. "The rate and motives of the internationalisation of large firm R&D (1994–2005): Towards a turning point?," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 44(3), pages 765-776.
    19. Dachs, Bernhard, 2017. "Internationalisation of R&D: A Review of Drivers, Impacts, and new Lines of Research," MPRA Paper 83367, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    20. Haskel, J & Haskel, J & Hughes, A & Bascavusoglu-Moreau, E, 2014. "The economic significance of the UK science base: a report for the Campaign for Science and Engineering," Working Papers 13751, Imperial College, London, Imperial College Business School.
    21. Zorska, Anna, 2016. "Polityka państwa wobec korporacji transnarodowych i przenoszenie ich prac B+R," Studia z Polityki Publicznej / Public Policy Studies, Warsaw School of Economics, vol. 3(3), pages 1-30, April.
    22. Dettmann, Eva & Lacasa, Iciar Dominguez & Guenther, Jutta & Jindra, Bjorn, 2014. "Детерминанты Зарубежной Технологической Активности В Германии - Количественный Анализ Транснациональных Патентов [Determinants of Foreign Technological Activity in German Regions - A Count Model An," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 8(1), pages 34-51.
    23. Jérôme Danguy, 2014. "Who collaborates with whom: the role of technological distance in international innovation," Working Papers TIMES² 2014-010, ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles.
    24. Eva Dettmann & Iciar Dominguez Lacasa & Jutta Guenther & Bjorn Jindra, 2014. "Determinants of Foreign Technological Activity in German Regions - A Count Model Analysis of Transnational Patents," Foresight and STI Governance (Foresight-Russia till No. 3/2015), National Research University Higher School of Economics, vol. 8(1), pages 34-51.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    R&D offshoring; Foreign direct investment in R&D;

    JEL classification:

    • F21 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Investment; Long-Term Capital Movements
    • O19 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - International Linkages to Development; Role of International Organizations
    • O32 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Management of Technological Innovation and R&D

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