Why is strategic R&D (still) homebound in a globalized industry? The case of leading firms in wireless telecom

Abstract

This paper looks at internationalization of R&D in the wireless telecommunications industry. We compare the international distribution of strategic R&D activities related to the development of wireless standards to other (non standard related) projects. While there is evidence that leading companies in this industry are sourcing globally their know how, still more strategic R&D projects remain homebound. This finding is further elaborated through conversations with R&D and IP managers at Ericsson, Motorola, Nokia, and Qualcomm. These semi-structured interviews suggested that a closer look at the internationalization of R&D investment requires scholars to consider maturation and decentralization of R&D and R&D management.