Multinational Knowledge Strategies, Policy and the Upgrading Process of Regions: Revisiting the Automotive Industry in Ostrava and Shanghai

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2012

Authors

van Tuijl E. (Author) Other; Carvalho L. (Author) FEP; van Winden W. (Author) Other; Jacobs W. (Author) Other

Journal

Title: European Planning Studies

Vol. 20

Pages: 1627-1646

ISSN: 0965-4313

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Indexing

Scopus - 7 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00W-523

DOI: 10.1080/09654313.2012.713329

Abstract (EN): This paper revisits how and why new multinational knowledge-based strategies and multi-level governmental policies influence the upgrading process of regions in developing economies. Automotive multinationals traditionally exploited local asset conditions, but it is shown that they have also been contributing to knowledge-generation systems via investments in R&D centres and cooperation with regional knowledge producers. We discern three elements of the upgrading process of regions-upgrading of domestic firms, subsidiary evolution and establishment of strategic relations with local knowledge institutes-to analyse two case studies: Ostrava (Czech Republic) and Shanghai (China). The cases show that all types of upgrading-product, process, chain and functional-have taken place in the last years, and that follow sourcing may have a positive impact on regional upgrading. These observations provide lessons for governments in developing economies which aim to strengthen innovation-based regional development. © 2012 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 19