Abstract
The paper identifies the evolving nature of headquarters-subsidiary relations during the whole process of R&D internationalization. In-depth data on five Japanese multinationals revealed that the role of overseas laboratories actually evolved over time, from the 'starter' to the 'innovator' and then to the 'contributor'. Such a shift in role of overseas laboratories affected the nature of headquarters-subsidiary relationship accordingly. 'Semi-connected freedom' was identified as an optimal condition for the overseas laboratories to reconcile the two competing pressures: need for local autonomy and need for internal information connectivity. Various managerial steps were suggested for the laboratories to reach that state: increase in process linkage, active broker's role, short-term socialization, and project-level socialization. Some practical and theoretical implications were drawn from this research, and future research direction was suggested.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1-14 |
| Number of pages | 14 |
| Journal | R and D Management |
| Volume | 31 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Publication status | Published - 2001 Jan |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Business, Management and Accounting(all)
- Business and International Management
- Management of Technology and Innovation
- Strategy and Management
Cite this
Evolving headquarters-subsidiary dynamics in international R&D : The case of Japanese multinationals. / Asakawa, Kazuhiro.
In: R and D Management, Vol. 31, No. 1, 01.2001, p. 1-14.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Evolving headquarters-subsidiary dynamics in international R&D
T2 - The case of Japanese multinationals
AU - Asakawa, Kazuhiro
PY - 2001/1
Y1 - 2001/1
N2 - The paper identifies the evolving nature of headquarters-subsidiary relations during the whole process of R&D internationalization. In-depth data on five Japanese multinationals revealed that the role of overseas laboratories actually evolved over time, from the 'starter' to the 'innovator' and then to the 'contributor'. Such a shift in role of overseas laboratories affected the nature of headquarters-subsidiary relationship accordingly. 'Semi-connected freedom' was identified as an optimal condition for the overseas laboratories to reconcile the two competing pressures: need for local autonomy and need for internal information connectivity. Various managerial steps were suggested for the laboratories to reach that state: increase in process linkage, active broker's role, short-term socialization, and project-level socialization. Some practical and theoretical implications were drawn from this research, and future research direction was suggested.
AB - The paper identifies the evolving nature of headquarters-subsidiary relations during the whole process of R&D internationalization. In-depth data on five Japanese multinationals revealed that the role of overseas laboratories actually evolved over time, from the 'starter' to the 'innovator' and then to the 'contributor'. Such a shift in role of overseas laboratories affected the nature of headquarters-subsidiary relationship accordingly. 'Semi-connected freedom' was identified as an optimal condition for the overseas laboratories to reconcile the two competing pressures: need for local autonomy and need for internal information connectivity. Various managerial steps were suggested for the laboratories to reach that state: increase in process linkage, active broker's role, short-term socialization, and project-level socialization. Some practical and theoretical implications were drawn from this research, and future research direction was suggested.
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M3 - Article
VL - 31
SP - 1
EP - 14
JO - R and D Management
JF - R and D Management
SN - 0033-6807
IS - 1
ER -