When developing countries meet transnational universities: searching for complementarity and dealing with dual embeddedness

During the last two decades, a growing number of universities, mainly from developed countries, have established branch campuses in developing countries. From the developing country perspective, attracting foreign universities can help mitigate financial constraints and capacity shortages that impair the state’s ability to provide greater access to higher education, while also improving teaching and research in general. However, foreign universities may also be detrimental if they crowd-out their domestic counterparts. We explore different scenarios and policy options for developing countries aiming to attract foreign universities, building upon a review of four case studies from Chile, China, Kazakhstan and Malaysia. Our analysis illustrates how host countries can provide incentives to align incoming foreign universities to complement and strengthen the areas of weakness in their higher education systems. We also reflect on how policy-makers can deal with the challenges associated with the dual embeddedness of international branch campuses

The investment development path in a globalised world: implications for Eastern Europe

This article summarises recent revisions to the investment development path (IDP) as postulated by Narula and Dunning (2010). The IDP provides a framework to understand the dynamic interaction between foreign direct investment (FDI) and economic development. The revisions take into account some recent changes in the global economic environment. This paper argues that studies based on the IDP should adopt a broader perspective, encompassing the idiosyncratic economic structure of countries as well as the heterogeneous nature of FDI. It is critical to understand the complex forces and interactions that determine the turning points in a country’s IDP, and to more explicitly acknowledge the role of historical, social and political circumstances in hindering or promoting FDI. We discuss some of the implications for Eastern European countries and provide some guidelines for future research. Key words: FDI, investment development path, Eastern Europe, multinational enterprises, transition

Innovation to fight hunger:the case of Plumpy'nut

A simple invention can at times prove extremely useful. This is the case with Plumpy‟nut, a variety of ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) conceived in 1999 that is shaping a new regime for emergency interventions to alleviate child malnutrition. This paper applies concepts from the innovation systems literature into the analysis of Plumpy‟nut with the aim of identifying the forces driving its successful diffusion as an innovation. Special attention is paid to three features that define the diffusion process: 1) shifting from inpatient to outpatient treatment, 2) building networks through licences, franchises and partnerships, and 3) exploring further varieties of application. We combine the theoretical discussion with insights from field research in Ethiopia, including personal interviews with relevant parties and direct observation of how Plumpy‟nut works in practice. The ultimate objectives of this technology assessment exercise are to better understand the innovation journey of Plumpy‟nut and to identify possible opportunities for policy intervention

Government strategies to attract R&D-Intensive FDI

Competition among countries and regions to attract the R&D activities of multinational enterprises has increased substantially during the last years, but the strategies used by governments in this competition remain largely unexplored. This paper proposes a taxonomy of the main policy instruments available to stimulate inward R&D-intensive FDI and presents the results of a comparative case-study of two European countries: Spain and Ireland. The main conclusion is that an efficient promotion of R&D-intensive FDI calls for a closer coordination between innovation policy and inward investment promotion, which are two policy areas that have traditionally operated rather independently from each other. In addition, inward investment agencies targeting R&D-intensive FDI are advised to reconfigure the scope of services they provide by placing more emphasis on after-care, since R&D-intensive FDI tends to be evolutionary rather than greenfield

http://dx.doi.org/ 10.1016/j.techfore.2012.04.011

Since the turn of the 21st century ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) has emerged as the preferred solution to treat acute malnutrition without complications. RUTF is a more appropriate technology than formerly prevalent powdered milk solutions because it enables outpatient care, simpler treatment protocols and production in the field. In this paper we analyze the forces driving the diffusion of RUTF as an innovation to treat child malnutrition and discuss the main features characterizing the new technological regime that results from its wide adoption. We combine the theoretical discussion and the review of secondary sources with insights from field research in Ethiopia, encompassing personal interviews with relevant parties and direct observation of how RUTF works in practice. This technology assessment exercise enables us to suggest some opportunities for policy intervention

It's time for an EU Investment Promotion Agency

The author proposes an EU IPA that coordinates FDI promotion and support for foreign investors at a regional level

MERITUM and Danish Guidelines for Reporting on Intangibles: a Comparative Study

This paper presents and compares two of the most renowned guidelines---the Danish and the MERITUM---on reporting of intangibles which have been developed in Europe in recent years. Both works propose a set of recommendations on how to complement traditional financial statements with the publication of an intellectual capital report disclosing additional information on a firm’s intangible resources and activities. The study observes some differences between these two guidelines in their methodology and scope, the terminology they use, and the way they classify actions and indicators. The study, based on personal interviews, has important policy implications and recommendations for practitioners

Un nuevo horizonte para el desarrollo africano

La presentación oficial de la Nueva Alianza para el Desarrollo de África (NEPAD), en julio de 2001, ha generado grandes expectativas. Aunque hasta la fecha los resultados hayan sido en cierta medida decepcionantes, y a pesar del largo camino todavía por recorrer, ha mejorado sustancialmente el marco institucional y el rango político de la propuesta africana en el sistema internacional. Recientemente han tenido lugar acontecimientos importantes para el NEPAD como las elecciones de Zimbabue, la visita a África del primer ministro británico Tony Blair, la conferencia de Naciones Unidas en Monterrey o las reuniones del G8 con representantes africanos para preparar la cumbre de junio, que supuestamente dedicará una especial atención al desarrollo del continente. Este artículo presenta un resumen de los últimos sucesos y una reflexión crítica sobre la situación actual de los programas políticos para impulsar el desarrollo del continente africano

La complejidad sudafricana

Thabo Mbeki atraviesa un momento difícil como presidente de Suráfrica. Ha recibido fuertes críticas por su gestión respecto a la epidemia del SIDA, su ambigüedad frente a la minoría blanca surafricana y su postura ante la explosión racial de Zimbabue. Su apuesta por la ortodoxia económica cada vez es más cuestionada dado que no está produciendo los resultados deseados. La pobreza persiste, la redistribución de la riqueza ha sido escasa y tanto la crisis sanitaria como la criminalidad se han agravado desde su llegada al poder en 1999. Sin embargo, su Gobierno es uno de los más eficaces y menos corruptos de África. Destaca su trabajo como representante del continente africano que, como pudo verse en la última cumbre del G-8, está produciendo resultados significativos. Mbeki es un líder imprevisible y enigmático, tan respetado como temido. Igual de dual se presenta el futuro de Suráfrica, que se enfrenta a serias amenazas pero a la vez es la gran esperanza del continente