Localisation of product development based on competitive advantage of location and government policies: A case study of car makers in Brazil

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Abstract:

As global competition intensifies, transnational corporations are internationalising even the most knowledge-intensive corporate functions, such as research and development (R&D). Today, corporations in industries such as automobiles are establishing R&D facilities in selected developing countries. They do this to enhance their efficiency, to access expanding pools of scientists and engineers, and to meet the demands in these countries. These recent trends have important implications for the international division of labour and stress the need for coherent national policies to ensure benefits from this evolution. This study aims to identify the localisation of product development activities based on Porter's (1998) diamond model for competitive advantage of location, and Kuchiki's (2005) flowchart approach for government policies. The analysis is based on case studies of automobile assemblers that have headquarters in Triad markets and facilities in Brazil. Brazilian competitive advantages of location are investigated, and implications for host government policies proposed, from the viewpoint of leveraging location specific advantages for R&D localisation. Copyright © 2012 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.