The purpose of this thesis is to investigate differences in the R&D motivations for manufacturing and service firms. The thesis contributes to existing R&D literature as it proposes a novel approach for the categorization of manufacturing and service firms. Using data from the Statistics Sweden R&D survey, the paper classifies firms according to their income structure, which allows the study to base industry classifications to what best aligns with firms’ actual activities. The methodology consists of Welch’s two- sample t-test in combination with OLS regressions to examine differences in the motivations for manufacturing and service firms. The results suggest that there is a statistically significant difference in the motivations. Manufacturing firms are found to devote a higher proportion of their total R&D investments towards the improvement of existing products. Services were found to devote a greater share of their R&D investments to the development of new processes and to increases in general knowledge-building. Moreover, the study finds a substantial disparity in how firms are classified according to industry classification codes and how they actually earn their revenues and therefore questions the accuracy of conventional industry classification methods.

La thèse traite de la manière dont des firmes multinationales (FMNs) historiquement occidentales, pilotent la dynamique de constitution des compétences nécessaires pour supporter leur stratégie de croissance et d’innovation, lorsque leur marché bascule depuis l’Europe vers l’Asie.La littérature sur le management de l’innovation dans les FMNs propose différents modèles d’organisation globale des processus d’innovation mais n’aborde pas la question de la dynamique de constitution de ces modèles, à partir d’une situation historique et d’une stratégie d’internationalisation spécifique.La thèse traite de cette question de la dynamique à partir d’une recherche interactive menée au sein de l’équipementier automobile mondial Valeo. Elle montre (i) que l’internationalisation en Chine constitue une triple rupture de vitesse, de volume ainsi que de contexte pour la FMN occidentale historique, (ii) que la stratégie mise en œuvre par la FMN en Chine depuis l’Europe permet de gérer la situation à court terme, mais n’est pas particulièrement propice à la constitution des compétences nécessaires aux équipes locales pour devenir progressivement autonomes.A partir d’un diagnostic des difficultés rencontrées, la thèse propose alors (i) au niveau micro, un modèle de reconception des dispositifs de formation dispensés, de manière à optimiser les apprentissages des collaborateurs chinois et favoriser le développement de leurs compétences, (ii) au niveau macro, une trajectoire d’optimisation du développement des compétences de R-I-D (Recherche, Innovation, Développement) dans la firme-réseau global, d’une part en Chine via la formation de formateurs locaux et la constitution de communautés de pratiques, d’autre part globalement via la constitution d’un véhicule organisationnel de type Université d’Entreprise, qui permettrait d’adresser, ensemble, les problématiques d’identification et d’attrait des talents, de montée en compétence, ainsi que d’engagement et de fidélisation. / This thesis focuses on the way multinational corporations (MNCs) develop and manage the required competences to sustain their innovation strategy when their market dynamism is shifting towards Asia.The literature presents various models to organize innovation processes globally but does not answer the question of their dynamic constitution based on a given situation.Drawing upon an interactive research conducted within Valeo – a worldwide automotive supplier – this thesis focuses on that dynamic dimension. It sheds light on how (i) China constitutes a disruptive experience for the Western MNC because of the speed and scale of the phenomenon, as well as the context, (ii) the strategy implemented by the MNC in China from Europe has helped to deal with the difficult situation in the short term, but is not the best way to develop the necessary competences locally to enable the local teams to become autonomous.We thus suggest: (i) at the micro level, a new way of designing training programs that involves shifting from a teaching-centered approach to a learning-centered approach, (ii) at the macro level, a trajectory to improve the constitution of R-I-D (Research, Innovation, Development) competences in the global firm, on the one hand in China via the coaching of local trainers and the development of communities of practice, and on the other hand globally via the constitution of an organizational vehicle such as a Corporate University, to address simultaneously learning and talent management issues – both individually & collectively, locally & globally, in-house & in link with the outside world.

This is a quantitative thesis of the Swedish biotech industry, that intends to study what effect M&A activity has on firms R&D intensity. It is an important question as the market demand is changing rapidly and puts high pressure on companies to constantly deliver new innovations. The study is based on panel data and ordinary least squares regressions. The findings are similar to previous studies, which points towards both positive and negative directions when referring to M&A activity and its impact on R&D intensity. This thesis show lack of statistical significant results when it comes to how R&D intensity (R&D intensity is defined as the ratio of R&D expenditure to total sales) is affected by M&A activity.

Unidades de P&D de subsidiárias podem realizar atividades de apoio à operação de subsidiária, melhorando o processo de produção e prestar assistência na venda dos produtos. No entanto, em alguns casos, eles também podem desenvolver novos produtos e processos. A literatura sobre este processo de decisão é escassa, especialmente nos países em desenvolvimento. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi analisar a influência da capacidade tecnológica e dos custos de P&D da unidade de P&D da subsidiária na decisão quanto ao grau de complexidade tecnológica atribuído às subsidiárias de multinacionais estabelecidas no Brasil. Para tanto, foram estabelecidos os seguintes objetivos específicos: Definir uma escala de vários graus de complexidade tecnológica para as atividades de P&D de subsidiárias de multinacionais que operam no Brasil, tendo como referência a literatura pertinente e os achados da pesquisa empírica; Analisar, sob o ponto de vista dos gestores das subsidiárias, a influência da capacidade tecnológica (utilizando indicadores relativos ao número de patentes geradas e utilizadas pela subsidiária, processo de desenvolvimento de produto, intensidade de P&D e nível da equipe de P&D) e de custos de fazer P&D (utilizando indicadores de custo de aquisição e manutenção de máquinas e equipamentos, remuneração do pessoal local e insumos para P&D) no grau de complexidade tecnológica das atividades de P&D atribuído pela matriz da multinacional às respectivas subsidiárias; Analisar, sob o ponto de vista dos gestores das subsidiárias, a influência do tamanho e do tempo de existência da subsidiária no grau de complexidade tecnológica das atividades de P&D atribuído pela matriz às subsidiárias; e Desenvolver e testar a significância estatística de um modelo conceitual de análise da influência das capacidades tecnológicas e dos custos de P&D, tendo como referência os respectivos indicadores citados anteriormente, formulando e testando as hipóteses referentes ao número de patentes geradas e utilizadas pela subsidiária, desenvolvimento de produto, intensidade de P&D, nível da equipe de P&D, custos de fazer P&D, tempo de existência da subsidiária, e tamanho da subsidiária. Para isso, desenvolveu-se uma pesquisa envolvendo duas fases: qualitativa e quantitativa. Na fase qualitativa, foram realizadas entrevistas semiestruturadas com especialistas da área de P&D de empresas multinacionais. Na fase quantitativa foram aplicados questionários (90 respostas válidas foram obtidas), através de um levantamento eletrônico, aos gestores de subsidiárias de multinacionais, direta ou indiretamente envolvidas na área de P&D. A técnica de análise multivariada que foi utilizada para testar a significância do modelo conceitual da pesquisa foi a regressão logística multinomial, sendo adequada às exigências metodológicas da investigação. Os resultados encontrados apontam para a viabilidade estatística do modelo conceitual da pesquisa, com ressalvas em relação a alguns indicadores que não foram significativos ao nível de 5%, e com forte influência do indicador relativo ao fato de o nível da equipe de P&D ter as habilidades interpessoais necessárias para lidar com projetos mais complexos, envolvendo diferentes equipes e culturas. / R&D units of subsidiaries can perform support activities to the operation of subsidiary, improving the production process and provide assistance in selling the products. However in some cases they can also develop new products and processes. The literature regarding this decision process is scarce, especially in developing countries. The objective of this research was to analyze the influence of technological capability and R&D costs of the R&D unit of the subsidiary in the deciding the degree of technological complexity attributed to the subsidiaries of multinationals established in Brazil. To this end, the following specific objectives were established: to define a scale of several degrees of technological complexity for the R&D activities of subsidiaries of multinationals operating in Brazil, having as reference the pertinent literature and the findings of the empirical research; to analyze, from the point of view of the managers of the subsidiaries, the influence of technological capacity (using indicators related to the number of patents generated and used by the subsidiary, product development process, R&D intensity and R&D team level) R&D (using indicators of the cost of acquisition and maintenance of machinery and equipment, remuneration of local personnel and inputs for R&D) in the degree of technological complexity of the R&D activities attributed by the parent company to the respective subsidiaries; to analyze, from the point of view of the managers of the subsidiaries, the influence of the size and time of existence of the subsidiary in the degree of technological complexity of the R&D activities attributed by the parent to the subsidiaries; and to develop and test the statistical significance of a conceptual model for the analysis of the influence of technological capabilities and R&D costs, based on the respective indicators mentioned above, formulating and testing the hypotheses related to the number of patents generated and used by the subsidiary, development R&D intensity, R&D team level, R&D costs, subsidiary lifetime, and subsidiary size.. For this, a research involving two phases was developed: qualitative and quantitative. In the qualitative phase, semi-structured interviews with specialists in the R&D area of multinational companies were carried out. In the quantitative phase, questionnaires were applied (90 valid responses were obtained), through an electronic survey, to managers of subsidiaries of multinationals, directly or indirectly involved in the R&D area. The multivariate analysis technique was used to test the significance of the conceptual model of the research was multinomial logistic regression, which was adequate to the methodological requirements of the investigation. The results found point to the statistical feasibility of the conceptual model of the research, with reservations regarding some indicators that were not significant at the 5% level, and with a strong influence of the indicator related to the fact that the level of the R&D team has the skills interpersonal skills needed to deal with more complex projects involving different teams and cultures.

Unidades de P&D de subsidiárias podem realizar atividades de apoio à operação de subsidiária, melhorando o processo de produção e prestar assistência na venda dos produtos. No entanto, em alguns casos, eles também podem desenvolver novos produtos e processos. A literatura sobre este processo de decisão é escassa, especialmente nos países em desenvolvimento. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi analisar a influência da capacidade tecnológica e dos custos de P&D da unidade de P&D da subsidiária na decisão quanto ao grau de complexidade tecnológica atribuído às subsidiárias de multinacionais estabelecidas no Brasil. Para tanto, foram estabelecidos os seguintes objetivos específicos: Definir uma escala de vários graus de complexidade tecnológica para as atividades de P&D de subsidiárias de multinacionais que operam no Brasil, tendo como referência a literatura pertinente e os achados da pesquisa empírica; Analisar, sob o ponto de vista dos gestores das subsidiárias, a influência da capacidade tecnológica (utilizando indicadores relativos ao número de patentes geradas e utilizadas pela subsidiária, processo de desenvolvimento de produto, intensidade de P&D e nível da equipe de P&D) e de custos de fazer P&D (utilizando indicadores de custo de aquisição e manutenção de máquinas e equipamentos, remuneração do pessoal local e insumos para P&D) no grau de complexidade tecnológica das atividades de P&D atribuído pela matriz da multinacional às respectivas subsidiárias; Analisar, sob o ponto de vista dos gestores das subsidiárias, a influência do tamanho e do tempo de existência da subsidiária no grau de complexidade tecnológica das atividades de P&D atribuído pela matriz às subsidiárias; e Desenvolver e testar a significância estatística de um modelo conceitual de análise da influência das capacidades tecnológicas e dos custos de P&D, tendo como referência os respectivos indicadores citados anteriormente, formulando e testando as hipóteses referentes ao número de patentes geradas e utilizadas pela subsidiária, desenvolvimento de produto, intensidade de P&D, nível da equipe de P&D, custos de fazer P&D, tempo de existência da subsidiária, e tamanho da subsidiária. Para isso, desenvolveu-se uma pesquisa envolvendo duas fases: qualitativa e quantitativa. Na fase qualitativa, foram realizadas entrevistas semiestruturadas com especialistas da área de P&D de empresas multinacionais. Na fase quantitativa foram aplicados questionários (90 respostas válidas foram obtidas), através de um levantamento eletrônico, aos gestores de subsidiárias de multinacionais, direta ou indiretamente envolvidas na área de P&D. A técnica de análise multivariada que foi utilizada para testar a significância do modelo conceitual da pesquisa foi a regressão logística multinomial, sendo adequada às exigências metodológicas da investigação. Os resultados encontrados apontam para a viabilidade estatística do modelo conceitual da pesquisa, com ressalvas em relação a alguns indicadores que não foram significativos ao nível de 5%, e com forte influência do indicador relativo ao fato de o nível da equipe de P&D ter as habilidades interpessoais necessárias para lidar com projetos mais complexos, envolvendo diferentes equipes e culturas. / R&D units of subsidiaries can perform support activities to the operation of subsidiary, improving the production process and provide assistance in selling the products. However in some cases they can also develop new products and processes. The literature regarding this decision process is scarce, especially in developing countries. The objective of this research was to analyze the influence of technological capability and R&D costs of the R&D unit of the subsidiary in the deciding the degree of technological complexity attributed to the subsidiaries of multinationals established in Brazil. To this end, the following specific objectives were established: to define a scale of several degrees of technological complexity for the R&D activities of subsidiaries of multinationals operating in Brazil, having as reference the pertinent literature and the findings of the empirical research; to analyze, from the point of view of the managers of the subsidiaries, the influence of technological capacity (using indicators related to the number of patents generated and used by the subsidiary, product development process, R&D intensity and R&D team level) R&D (using indicators of the cost of acquisition and maintenance of machinery and equipment, remuneration of local personnel and inputs for R&D) in the degree of technological complexity of the R&D activities attributed by the parent company to the respective subsidiaries; to analyze, from the point of view of the managers of the subsidiaries, the influence of the size and time of existence of the subsidiary in the degree of technological complexity of the R&D activities attributed by the parent to the subsidiaries; and to develop and test the statistical significance of a conceptual model for the analysis of the influence of technological capabilities and R&D costs, based on the respective indicators mentioned above, formulating and testing the hypotheses related to the number of patents generated and used by the subsidiary, development R&D intensity, R&D team level, R&D costs, subsidiary lifetime, and subsidiary size.. For this, a research involving two phases was developed: qualitative and quantitative. In the qualitative phase, semi-structured interviews with specialists in the R&D area of multinational companies were carried out. In the quantitative phase, questionnaires were applied (90 valid responses were obtained), through an electronic survey, to managers of subsidiaries of multinationals, directly or indirectly involved in the R&D area. The multivariate analysis technique was used to test the significance of the conceptual model of the research was multinomial logistic regression, which was adequate to the methodological requirements of the investigation. The results found point to the statistical feasibility of the conceptual model of the research, with reservations regarding some indicators that were not significant at the 5% level, and with a strong influence of the indicator related to the fact that the level of the R&D team has the skills interpersonal skills needed to deal with more complex projects involving different teams and cultures.

Background: Management control systems (MCS) are used to control organizations and make employees behave and act in the desirable way. Performance measurement (PM) systems one type of MCS and are used to communicate company strategies throughout the organization, motivate the employees to work towards company goals, and measure the outcome. PM systems can be a powerful tool, but if used in the wrong way they can have adverse effects. Aim: This thesis focused on the use of PM systems for management control purposes in research and development (R&D) organisations with the question: How can performance measurement systems be utilized in R&D organizations? Method: The thesis is based on a literature study, complemented by a case study (metric analysis, survey and deep interviews) at a R&D department. The department was investigated at two time points, in between which the PM system was re-designed. In the metric analysis, the performance targets of the PM system were categorized into quantitative-objective, quantitative-subjective and qualitative-subjective targets. Results: The results from the case study were in line with findings from the literature. At study point 2, when the PM system had been re-designed, the employees felt more involved in shaping and influencing the goals. Also the follow-up of the goals was experienced as more implemented at study point two. The types of measured targets had shifted from quantitative to qualitative, including soft values such as team spirit, at study point 2. However, the members did not feel that the goals motivated them at any time point. . Conclusion: In the literature review it was evident from the number of publications that there is a great interest in measuring R&D performance, and that PM systems are an important tool to R&D managers. Just as the company in this case study, each organization needs to analyze its own needs and adopt the PM system thereafter. Moreover, no system should be seen as static, instead it should be continuously evaluated and adjusted to make sure it measures what it is intended to measure and that it does not cause adverse effects on the organization.

No description available.

A mandate is “a business, or element of a business, in which the subsidiary participates and for which it has responsibilities beyond its national market” (Birkinshaw, 1996, p. 467). In the past MNCs set up subsidiaries as miniature replicas of the parent firm but with a changing global market the role of the subsidiary has developed into holding specific mandates. Much has been written about how subsidiaries gain mandates, but in this paper we focus on what causes a subsidiary to lose its mandate. By using AstraZeneca’s R&D unit in Södertälje as a case we examine the loss of mandates and to what extent technological capabilities are connected to the loss of mandates. The paper shows that explaining the loss of mandates is complex and requires consideration of several perspectives. We here provide a starting point for other researchers to continue upon.

Innovation and technological improvements are essential components in generating growth. While this topic is well studied, limited research exists on the effectiveness of innovation and how it drives firm value. The 2008 Financial Crisis serves as a major historical event that significantly changed the economic environment in the US. Centering my analysis around this event, my study empirically examines the efficiency of innovation investments and industry-level stock returns. By taking patents issued as a percentage of R&D outlays, I measure Efficient Innovation—how effective a firm’s R&D is in generating significant innovative change.

Background: When governments procure fighter jets from international suppliers, offsets frequently occur. In 2009, the European Commission issued Defence and Security Directive 2009/81/EC – a first step to incorporate the defence sector into the European single-market model. The regulation has changed the circumstances on the fighter market by limiting the use of offsets. Whether the fighter market, or the defence sector, is able to adjust to these changes remain unanswered.Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate and analyse the role of offsets in procurements of fighter jets, to get a better understanding of the present situation at the fighter market where the EU attempts to ban offset agreements.Research method: This study uses a qualitative method. Seven interviews with employees at Saab Aeronautics were carried through. In addition to the interviews, a literature study was conducted on defence markets, offsets and the European context. The gathered material was thereafter analysed with selected theories of institutional and transaction cost economics, as well as previous research in order to fulfil the purpose of the study.Conclusion: The study concludes that offsets can be seen as a by-product of the existing market imperfections and political transactions, and therefore a natural component in procurements of fighter jets. Certain forms of offset can be used by purchasing governments to neutralize existing market imperfections and lower the transaction costs. However, this is only one dimension to offsets since they may appear in several forms with different purposes and risks attached to them. The institutional change on the European fighter market will produce both winners and losers in the years to come. Whether eliminating offsets will lead to a more open and transparent fighter market remains ambiguous