Coordination in global R&D organizations: an examination of the role of subsidiary mandate and product architecture
Type
conference paper
Date Issued
2013-06-26
Author(s)
Abstract
International research and development (R&D) operations require a significant amount of coordination between the headquarters and the subsidiaries in order to integrate the dispersed activities in one final product. While prior research has investigated the intensity of the use of formal and informal coordination approaches in different R&D subsidiary mandates, this article goes one step further and explores what kinds of mechanisms are used in different subsidiary settings. Based on a multiple case study involving nine multinational companies (MNCs) from different industries, we find that formal coordination mechanisms are supplemented with informal ones with increasing subsidiary mandates. Furthermore, independent of the subsidiary mandate, we find that a well-defined product architecture serves as a complementary, hybrid coordination mechanism which has the potential to lower overall coordination efforts. The findings bear important implications for the effective coordination of MNCs' international R&D subsidiaries organizations.
Funding(s)
Language
English
Keywords
Coordination
Subsidiary mandate
R&D subsidiaries
Product architecture
Product modularity
Global R&D
MNCs
HSG Classification
contribution to scientific community
HSG Profile Area
SoM - Business Innovation
Refereed
Yes
Book title
Skills for Future Innovation
Publisher
Research and Development Management
Publisher place
Manchester, UK
Start page
20
Event Title
R&D Management Conference (RADMA) 2013
Event Location
Manchester, UK
Event Date
26.-28.06.2013
Subject(s)
Division(s)
Eprints ID
226603