Catching the Local Buzz by Embedding? Empirical Insights on the Regional Embeddedness of Multinational Enterprises in Germany and the UK

Abstract

Abstract\n What determines the regional embeddedness of Multinational Enterprises (MNEs) and how do these globally operating firms harness external knowledge which is considered to be ?out there? in Regional Innovation Systems (RIS)? Despite the increasing importance of this matter, both from a research and management perspective, there is still an insufficient understanding of the regional embeddedness of MNEs. 
\nBy integrating insights from studies on intangible assets, corporate organization of innovation and RIS, this exploratory case study analysis presents a novel matrix of MNE regional embeddedness, using qualitative evidence from 56 in-depth interviews with senior members of leading MNEs from the ICT, automotive and pharmaceutical industries from highly developed RIS in Germany and the UK.