Evolving International R&D Linkages in the Japanese MNCs

This paper is devoted to the issue of evolving linkages in international R&D management. After presenting various types of linkage mechanisms output linkage versus interactive linkage, and broker linkage versus mass linkage – a general framework of evolving linkages in international R&D is developed. Conducting R&D abroad has a huge potential in taking advantage of globally-dispersed knowledge and skills, if managed properly. However, our understanding of the appropriate management mechanisms at different stages of R&D internationalization is limited. The paper shows that the linkage patterns vary according to the evolving stages of R&D. Implications for Asian management are also discussed.