Foreign Subsidiaries in the East German Innovation System – Evidence from manufacturing industries
Jutta Günther, Johannes Stephan, Björn Jindra
Applied Economics Quarterly Supplement,
Nr. 59,
2008
Abstract
Die Veröffentlichung analysiert das Ausmaß technologischer Leistungsfähigkeit auf ausländische Tochtergesellschaften, welche in Ostdeutschland angesiedelt sind. Darüber hinaus betrachtet es Determinanten des technologischen Beschaffungsverhaltens ausländischer Tochtergesellschaften. Die Theorie der internationalen Produktion unterstreicht die Wichtigkeit von Variablen auf der strategischen und regionalen Ebene. Dennoch lassen existierende empirische Studien im Großen und Ganzen Faktoren auf regionaler Ebene aus. Wir entnehmen die Studienergebnisse aus der „ADI Mikrodatenbank“ des IWH, welche erst seit kurzem zur Verfügung steht, um die Analyse durchzuführen. Wir fanden heraus, dass ausländische Tochtergesellschaften im Vergleich zum gesamten verarbeitenden Gewerbe in Ostdeutschland überdurchschnittlich technologisch aktiv sind. Dies kann teilweise durch die industrielle Struktur der ausländischen Direktinvestitionen erklärt werden. Dennoch bezieht nur ein begrenzter Teil ausländischer Tochtergesellschaften mit F&E und/oder Innovationsaktivitäten technologisches Wissen aus dem ostdeutschen Innovationssystem. Wenn eine Tochtergesellschaft die Strategie der Kompetenzvermehrung verfolgt oder lokalen Handel betreibt, dann bezieht sie eher technologisches Wissen lokal. Die Ausstattung einer Region mit Humankapital und wissenschaftlicher Infrastruktur hat ebenfalls einen positiven Effekt. Diese Ergebnisse lassen schlussfolgern, dass ausländische Tochtergesellschaften in Ostdeutschland nur teilweise mit dem regionalen Innovationssystem verbunden sind. Strategien werden diskutiert.
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Foreign Subsidiaries in the East German Innovation System – Evidence from Manufacturing Industries
Jutta Günther, Björn Jindra, Johannes Stephan
IWH Discussion Papers,
Nr. 4,
2008
Abstract
This paper analyses the extent of technological capability of foreign subsidiaries located in East Germany, and looks at the determinants of foreign subsidiaries’ technological sourcing behaviour. The theory of international production underlines the importance of strategic and regional level variables. However, existing empirical approaches omit by and large regional level factors. We employ survey evidence from the “FDI micro data- base” of the IWH, that was only recently made available, to conduct our analyses. We find that foreign subsidiaries are above average technologically active in comparison to the whole East German manufacturing. This can be partially explained by the industrial structure of foreign direct investment. However, only a limited share of foreign subsidiaries with R&D and/or innovation activity source technological knowledge from the East German innovation system. If a subsidiary follows a competence augmenting strategy or does local trade, it is more likely to source technological knowledge locally. The endowment of a region with human capital and a scientific infrastructure has a positive effect too. The findings suggest that foreign subsidiaries in East Germany are only partially linked with the regional innovation system. Policy implications are discussed.
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A Strategy View on Knowledge in the MNE - Integrating Subsidiary Roles and Knowledge Flows
Björn Jindra
East-West Journal of Economics and Business,
1 & 2
2005
Abstract
We assume knowledge inflows endogenous to subsidiary roles. Integrating organisational and knowledge-based views we propose a new subsidiary typology based on MNE integration-subsidiary capability. We hypothesise that both dimensions are positively associated with knowledge inflows into the focal subsidiary. This prediction is tested with data for 425 subsidiaries. The key findings were: (a) the extent for knowledge inflows differs significantly across all subsidiary roles; (c) it diminishes in a anti-clockwise direction starting in the high integration-high capability quadrant of the IC taxonomy; thus (b) both MNE integration and subsidiary capability drive knowledge inflows, although, the balance shifts more towards integration.
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Empirical Studies: Results of a Fieldwork Project
Judit Hamar, Johannes Stephan
Foreign Direct Investment and Technology Transfer in Transition Countries: Theory – Method of Research – Empirical Evidence,
2005
Abstract
The second empirical analysis is based on a fieldwork project conducted between 2002 and 2003, which generated a large and unique database on 438 foreign subsidiaries in a selection of CEECs, namelay the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia. The field work was done between 2002 and 2003 by the use of a concise, two-page questionnaire, sent out to the largest foreign investment subsidiaries in the countries named. The questionnaire is presented in the Appendix to this book.In terms of methodology, the field work analysis focuses on the relationship between subsidiaries of MNEs which invested in CEE and their parent network, on the one hand, and the relationship between the subsidiaries and the local host economy, on the other.
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A strategy view on knowledge in the MNE – Integrating Subsidiary Roles and Knowledge Flows
Björn Jindra
East-West Journal of Economics and Business,
1 & 2
2005
Abstract
We assume knowledge inflows endogenous to subsidiary roles. Integrating organisational and knowledge-based views we propose a new subsidiary typology based on MNE integration-subsidiary capability. We hypothesise that both dimensions are positively associated with knowledge inflows into the focal subsidiary. This prediction is tested with data for 425 subsidiaries. The key findings were: (a) the extent for knowledge inflows differs significantly across all subsidiary roles; (c) it diminishes in a anti-clockwise direction starting in the high integration-high capability quadrant of the IC taxonomy; thus (b) both MNE integration and subsidiary capability drive knowledge inflows, although, the balance shifts more towards integration.
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Knowledge Transfer to MNE Subsidiaries in Central and East Europe - Integrating Knowledge-based and Organisational Perspectives: An Introduction, Special Edition
Johannes Stephan, Björn Jindra
East-West Journal of Economics and Business,
1 & 2
2005
Abstract
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Industry Level Technology Gaps and Complementary Knowledge Stocks as Determinants of Intra-MNC Knowledge Flows
Björn Jindra, Johannes Stephan
East-West Journal of Economics and Business,
1 & 2
2005
Abstract
Pursuing a subsidiary level analysis, we this paper tests the ‘technology gap’ hypothesis in the context of intra-MNC knowledge flows. Furthermore, it introduces complementary knowledge stocks into the concept of absorptive capacity. A set of hypotheses is tested in sample 434 foreign subsidiaries based in Central and East Europe. We find partial support for the ‘technology gap’ hypothesis applied at industry level. Furthermore, subsidiaries’ complementary knowledge stocks increase the probability for corresponding knowledge inflows from the foreign parent.
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The Potentials for Technology Transfer via Foreign Direct Investement in Central and East Europe - Results of a Field Study
Judit Hamar, Johannes Stephan
East-West Journal of Economics and Business,
1 & 2
2005
Abstract
Foreign direct investment plays a particularly crucial role for the processes of technological catch-up in Central East Europe. Whilst most countries of this region have received considerable direct investments, the composition of kinds of subsidiaries is different between countries and hence will the prospects for intense technology transfer also differ between countries. This contribution aims to compare the potentials for internal and external technology transfer across countries of Central East Europe by analysing the management-relationship between subsidiaries and their parents and the market-relationships between subsidiaries and their host economy. For this, a firm-level database of some 458 subsidiaries in Estonia, Poland, the Slovak Republic, Hungary, and Slovenia is analysed empirically.
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Technology Transfer via Foreign Direct Investment in Central and Eastern Europe: Theory, Method of Research and Empirical Evidence
Johannes Stephan
Technology Transfer via Foreign Direct Investment in Central and Eastern Europe: Theory, Method of Research and Empirical Evidence,
2005
Abstract
Foreign subsidiaries of multinational companies are suggested as one of the main channels of technology transfer to less developed economies. In Central East Europe their presence proved to be a decisive factor to economic restructuring and development. This volume is a unique guide to theory, method of research, and empirical evidence, for technology transfer via foreign subsidiaries of multinational companies. It combines the merits of a core text on technology transfer via FDI with up-to-date empirical evidence.
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Comment on A. Bley's article on 'Monetary Aspects of European Eastern Enlargement and CEE participation in ERM and EMU'
Johannes Stephan
Technology Transfer via Foreign Direct Investment in Central and Eastern Europe. Theory, Method of Research and Empirical Evidence. Studies in Economic Transition. Series edited by J. Hölscher and H. Tomann,
2005
Abstract
Foreign subsidiaries of multinational companies are suggested as one of the main channels of technology transfer to less developed economies. In Central East Europe their presence proved to be a decisive factor to economic restructuring and development. This volume is a unique guide to theory, method of research, and empirical evidence for technology transfer via foreign subsidiaries of multinational companies. It combines the merits of a core text on technology transfer via FDI with up-to-date empirical evidence.
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