ABSTRACT
During the past 25 years, a large number of theoretical and empirical studies have examined the relationship between technology and the multinational enterprise (MNE). These studies always implicitly assumed a degree of centralisation of research and development (R&D) and technological control at the MNE's corporate head quarters or in its home country. The literature on the advantages of centralising or decentralising R&D in MNEs suggests numerous factors to explain the phenomenon. Empirical studies have con firmed the high degree of centralisation of R&D at the MNE's corporate headquarters or home country. Some of these studies point to notable differences among MNEs.
