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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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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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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Technology spillovers from foreign investors in transition economies - are the effects still expected?
Jutta Günther
Economic and business review,
No. 1,
2005
Abstract
While it is widely acknowledged that there is a technology transfer from parent companies to foreign subsidiaries in central East European countries, there is no clear cut evidence for technology spillovers in favour of domestic companies so far. The paper presents a theoretical framework for how spillover mechanisms are turned into a reality and outlines empirical findings on technology spillovers for transition economies based on a comprehensive literature review. Against the background of an empirical qualitative study, the paper provides firm level explanations for the obvious lack of technology spillovers. Policy oriented issues will be discussed in the conclusions.
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Technological capability of foreign and West German investors in East Germany
Jutta Günther
IWH Discussion Papers,
No. 189,
2004
Abstract
Foreign direct investment (FDI) plays an important role for countries or regions in the process of economic catching-up since it is assumed – among other things – that FDI brings in new production technology and knowledge. This paper gives an overview about the development of FDI in East Germany based on official data provided by the Federal Bank of Germany. The investigation also includes a comparison of FDI in East Germany to Central East European countries. But the main focus of the paper is an analysis of the technological capability comparing majority foreign and West German owned firms to majority East German owned firms. It shows that foreign and West German subsidiaries in East Germany are indeed characterized by superior technological capability with respect to all indicators looked at (product innovation, research & development, organizational changes etc.).
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FDI Subsidiaries and Industrial Integration of Central Europe: Conceptual and Empirical Results
Boris Majcen, Slavo Radosevic, Matija Rojec
IWH Discussion Papers,
No. 177,
2003
Abstract
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Hardly any technology spillovers from supplier contacts of foreign subsidiaries in Hungary
Jutta Günther
Wirtschaft im Wandel,
No. 13,
2002
Abstract
Interaktionsprozesse zwischen Unternehmen können Technologie-Spillovers zur Folge haben, das heißt Technologietransfers im Sinne positiver externer Effekte oder Extra-market-linkages, die im technologienehmenden Unternehmen zu Innovationen führen. Für Volkswirtschaften, die sich im Prozess der nachholenden wirtschaftlichen Entwicklung befinden, erhofft man sich, dass von ausländischen Tochtergesellschaften Spillovereffekte zugunsten einheimischer Unternehmen ausgehen. In der Praxis sind verschiedene Spillovermechanismen möglich, darunter Zuliefererkontakte, die in der Literatur besonders häufig Erwähnung finden. Im Rahmen einer empirisch-explorativen Studie wurde am Beispiel der ungarischen Industrie die praktische Bedeutung von Zuliefererkontakten als Quelle von Technologie-Spillovers untersucht. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass einheimische Unternehmen und ausländische Tochtergesellschaften weitgehend getrennte Sphären innerhalb der ungarischen Industrie bilden. Zuliefererkontakte zwischen beiden Seiten sind selten und Technologie- Spillovers daher kaum feststellbar. Es ist davon auszugehen, dass das Beispiel Ungarn stellvertretend steht für andere nachholende mittelosteuropäische Länder, die seit Beginn der Transformation einen Zugang ausländischer Direktinvestitionen in ähnlicher Quantität und Qualität verzeichnen.
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Corporate Social Responsibility and Profit Shifting
Iftekhar Hasan, Panagiotis I. Karavitis, Pantelis Kazakis, Woon Sau Leung
European Accounting Review,
2099
Abstract
This paper examines the relation between corporate social responsibility (CSR) performance and tax–motivated income shifting. Using a profit–shifting measure estimated from multinational enterprises (MNEs) data, we find that parent firms with higher CSR scores shift significantly more profits to their low-tax foreign subsidiaries. Overall, our evidence suggests that MNEs engaging in CSR activities acquire legitimacy and moral capital that temper negative responses by stakeholders and thus have greater scope and chance to engage in unethical profit-shifting activities, consistent with the legitimacy theory.
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