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The Recent Location of Foreign R&D Activities by Large MNCs in the European Regions. The Role of Different Sources of Spillovers

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  • John A. Cantwell
  • Lucia Piscitello

Abstract

This paper examines the recent siting of foreign-owned corporate technological development in European regions. The data used are patents granted in the US to the world's largest firms in the period 1987-'95. According with the literature on knowledge creation in MNCs, we find that location of foreign-owned research tends to agglomerate, depending upon the potential for different sources of spillovers. Specifically, we find that location decisions are positively influenced by intra- and inter-industry spillovers, and the local scientific and educational infrastructure.

Suggested Citation

  • John A. Cantwell & Lucia Piscitello, 2003. "The Recent Location of Foreign R&D Activities by Large MNCs in the European Regions. The Role of Different Sources of Spillovers," ERSA conference papers ersa03p322, European Regional Science Association.
    • Handle: RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa03p322
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    Cited by:

    1. Nigel Driffield & Jun Du & Sourafel Girma, 2008. "Optimal geographic diversification and firm performance: evidence from the U.K," Journal of Productivity Analysis, Springer, vol. 30(2), pages 145-154, October.
    2. Roberto Basile & Davide Castellani, 2003. "Location Choices of Multinational Firms in Europe: the Role of National Bourdaries and EU Policy," Development Working Papers 183, Centro Studi Luca d'Agliano, University of Milano.
    3. Christian Le Bas & Parimal Patel, 2007. "Related variety and regional growth in Italy," SPRU Working Paper Series 164, SPRU - Science Policy Research Unit, University of Sussex Business School.
    4. Silviya Draganinska & Ruediger Wink, 2005. "Interregional and international knowledge flows in medium technology sectors - The role of formal and informal institutions," ERSA conference papers ersa05p381, European Regional Science Association.

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