Developing capabilities for integration in multinational R&D approaches and models

The paper proposes differentiation within R&D activities and formation and integration as dimensions of the growth of the corporate multinational R&D. The role of multinational R&D activities will vary from case to case and is subject to change over time. Path dependencies and the nature of the R&D units and modes of coordination may actively contribute to determining what kind of research they should be called upon to perform. Drawing on the results of a study carried out both on the literature and case analysis, this paper offers a comparison between two different models in developing capabilities for integration in multinational R&D. In our view, corporate strategies may correspond to highly diverse and at times even contrasting models of multinational R&D.