MNE R&D internationalization in developing Asia

Zhao, S. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8993-4915, Papanastassiou, M., Pearce, R. D. and Iguchi, C. (2021) MNE R&D internationalization in developing Asia. Asia Pacific Journal of Management, 38 (3). pp. 789-813. ISSN 1572-9958 doi: 10.1007/s10490-020-09705-1

Abstract/Summary

In line with the recent shift of R&D internationalization towards developing Asia, this Perspective paper reviews, contextualises, and evaluates the evolving patterns of creation, transfer, and assimilation of knowledge in multinational enterprises (MNEs). A typology is proposed consisting of four stylized nodes: West (industrialized mature economies), East One (emerging industrializing economies of developing Asia), East Two (Asian economies at an earlier stage of industrialization), and East Three (Asian economies with limited visible signs of industrialization). Within these nodes, this paper applies an institution-based view to discuss their diverse national innovation environment (with particular attention paid to governments, indigenous firms, and institutional conditions), and the network perspective to propose an intra-regional knowledge hierarchy, reflecting dynamic knowledge links.