Global competition and technology

About this book

Multinationals are increasingly implementing globalized approaches to the ways in which they use technology to support their immediate and longer-term competitiveness. Decentralised activities now contribute both to the Multinational Enterprises' (MNEs') generation of basic research results (that provide for a sustained evolution of the group's core technologies) and their product development (that applies such new technology commercially to leading geographical segments of the worldwide marketplace). Using a large number of new and published data sources this book analyses in detail how MNEs are extending their technological creation and scope into their worldwide operations, and the ways in which this seeks to enhance their global competitiveness. It points out how new strategic roles for decentralised R & D support this process. The implications of these new approaches for MNEs' host countries are discussed in detail.