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Knowledge-related competitiveness and the roles of multinationals’ R&D in a peripheral European economy: Survey analysis of Greece

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Abstract and Key Results

  • The paper analyses survey evidence on foreign firms’ R&D in Greece, in the light of recently derived perceptions of decentralisation of knowledge-related activities in MNEs’ strategic programmes.

  • We investigate various aspects of MNEs’ knowledge-related competitiveness in an intermediate-level economy. We examine the nature, extent and influences of R&D positioning. We also test empirically the relationship between subsidiaries’ strategic motivations and the different roles allocated to R&D departments.

  • In the main, the results meet expectations for a middle-income peripheral European economy. Original development work is at significant levels. However, adaptation of existing technologies to local conditions is still the primary aim of R&D in MNE subsidiaries in Greece. There are clear signs of integration/interdependence of work in R&D labs with other parts of MNE networks. The survey evidence also confirms that subsidiaries’ roles are a decisive factor determining the type of overseas labs.

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Manolopoulos, D., Papanastassiou, M. & Pearce, R. Knowledge-related competitiveness and the roles of multinationals’ R&D in a peripheral European economy: Survey analysis of Greece. MANAGE. INT. REV. 47, 661–682 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11575-007-0039-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11575-007-0039-8

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