As an exploratory attempt, this study examines the patterns of global R&D activities of industrial firms, focusing on the management of overseas R&D centers in terms of their location, primary missions, management style, organizational structure and communication, and global human resource management system. Based on a review of existing studies mainly undertaken in advanced countries and cases of foreign MNCs, several hypothetical relationships are postulated:
1) There appears a strong relationship between the purpose and location of R&D activities;
2) Different levels of global management and technological capability lead to different types of overseas R&D organizations;
3) The relationship between autonomy of overseas R&D organizations and their R&D performance will be moderated by organization size, development time pressure, and a need for internal efficiency;
4) Frequent communication between the headquarter and overseas R&D organizations will increase R&D performance;
5) Mutual exchange of R&D professionals between the headquarter and overseas R&D organizations will be positively related with R&D performance.
In addition, this study explores the current state of global R&D activities of selective firms in Korea, based on in-depth interviews, and analyzes the sources of problems in their global R&D management.
Finally, theoretical and managerial implications of this study are discussed and future research directions are proposed.
