
Management Papers
Document Type
Journal Article
Date of this Version
8-2006
Publication Source
Management Science
Volume
52
Issue
8
Start Page
1185
Last Page
1199
DOI
10.1287/mnsc.1060.0516
Abstract
Multinational enterprises (MNEs) are increasingly conducting research and development (R&D) in countries such as China and India, where intellectual property rights (IPR) protection is still far from adequate. This paper examines this seemingly puzzling situation. I argue that weak IPR leads to low returns to innovation and underutilization of innovative talents; MNEs that possess alternative mechanisms for protecting their intellectual properties will therefore find it attractive to conduct R&D at those locations. A theoretical framework is developed to capture the interaction between firm strategy and the institutional environment. The empirical analysis on a sample of 1,567 U.S.-headquartered innovating firms finds results consistent with the hypotheses that (i) technologies developed in countries with weak IPR protection are used more internally, and (ii) technologies developed by firms with R&D in weak IPR countries show stronger internal linkages. The results suggest that firms may use internal organizations to substitute for inadequate external institutions. By doing so, they are able to take advantage of the arbitrage opportunities presented by the institutional gap across countries.
Copyright/Permission Statement
The original, published version of the articles is available at: https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.1060.0516
Keywords
R&D, intellectual propert rights, MNEs, arbitrage
Recommended Citation
Zhao, M. (2006). Conducting R&D in Countries With Weak Intellectual Property Rights Protection. Management Science, 52 (8), 1185-1199. http://dx.doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.1060.0516
Date Posted: 19 February 2018
This document has been peer reviewed.