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More jobs for our foes? Global R&D strategy in the age of techno-nationalism

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: In light of rising techno-nationalism, MNEs (multinational enterprises) face heightened scrutiny over the legitimacy of their cross-border R&D investments, especially in host countries with strained diplomatic relations with the MNEs' home countries. Drawing from a realism-based international relations perspective and legitimacy theory, our study explores the effect of diplomatic relations between home and host countries on MNEs' global R&D strategy. We find that, in the face of adversarial diplomatic relations, MNEs increase their commitment to R&D-related jobs as a strategy to gain legitimacy. This finding extends the R&D internationalization literature by informing how MNEs navigate their efforts for legitimacy of their global R&D investments in an era marked by techno-nationalism.

Source: White Rose Research Online (University of Leeds, The University of Sheffield, University of York)

Authors: Yoon, David, Sinani, Evis, Papanastassiou, Marina, Economou, Ioannis G.

Institutions: University of Leeds, Copenhagen Business School, Texas A&M University at Qatar

Language: English

Topic: International Business and FDI

Subfield: Strategy and Management

Field: Business, Management and Accounting

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Peace, justice, and strong institutions, Decent work and economic growth

Open Access status: green

OpenAlex ID: W7011423986

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