This book tackles the issue of technological and economic catch-up by examining the role that public research institutions and local policy play in the promotion of this process by fostering local science-technology linkages with incoming foreign-owned multinationals. Although the book comprises various techno-socio-economic contexts and different methodological perspectives, the authors share the idea that public research, educational and political institutions provide capabilities in basic research and training of highly skilled labour, while private corporations establish networking connections with scientific and professional communities (and therefore access to knowledge and contacts) in other parts of the world. The book argues that despite being a peculiar feature of the new innovation model of the knowledge-based economy, the close relationship between knowledge transfer, innovation and economic growth has historically been an important mechanism in stimulating economic take-off and growth. This collection of theoretical, historical and applied papers will be invaluable to students, researchers and academics with an interest in innovation issues.

Innovation in Multinational Corporations in the Information Age investigates the production of information communication technology (ICT) through multinational corporations worldwide, and particularly in Europe. Questions relating to the management of corporate technological portfolio and the management of corporate research activity are addressed, and sectoral specialisation along with the geographical location of corporate technological development are analysed. The book imparts enlightening viewpoints on the changing boundaries of the international firm and the evolution of corporate learning in a more complex technological system. The increasing significance of regions as units of spatial competition is highlighted, and the analysis of ICT provides an insight into business strategy and policy making agendas. Providing useful insights into the dynamics of innovation at company level in an international context, this book will be of great interest to international, political, industrial and business economists and scholars.

This further volume on the effects of multinational enterprises (MNEs) provides a contribution for the analysis of the impact of MNEs activities on host development and growth, the creation of linkages and knowledge flows in local contexts, and the relationships between foreign activities and home competitiveness. Specifically, the conceptual discussion and the fresh empirical evidence provided in the volume allow light to be shed on the following questions, which are crucial for designing the role of policy in order to trigger virtuous circles between multinationals, and local development and growth:
To what extent do foreign MNEs represent a crucial source of spillovers for local domestic companies? And which are the working mechanisms of these technological transfers?
How can development and growth processes take off? And are there privileged sectors and locations?
Do MNEs benefit from significant technological transfer from their foreign activities? And what modalities and mechanisms do MNEs adopt to value technological transfers? Which are the main advantages stemming from them?
Do MNEs performances also benefit in terms of labour productivity and employment?
The answers provided highlight that recursive elements and interaction between international institutions, government policies and strategies of MNEs are main mechanisms to factors that influence development and growth, thus offering new insights to policy makers.
*Studies the relationship of the MNE with it's home and host countries
*Analyzes the effect of MNEs upon local development and growth
*Contributes to define the role for public industrial and economic policies

This volume of "Progress in International Business Research" proposes new perspectives in IB research by addressing a number of critical issues which criss-cross the fields of International Business and International Management. More specifically, the topics dealt with in the volume feature in four discreet sections. The contributions in the first part concern the management of cultural distance across countries. In the second part, internal and external solutions to corporate governance problems are proposed, making use of the concept of 'jurisdictional advantage'. The third part focuses on the genesis and development of international entrepreneurs. The last part of the volume discusses the nature and impact of technology and of international expansion.The volume intends to provide fresh new insights in the field of IB research, insights which will interest business and management scholars, senior executives and policy-makers, and all those interested in the relationship and combination of corporate competitive advantage with jurisdictional advantage.