Offshoring and Improvisational Learning: Empirical Insights into Developing Global R&D Capabilities

Vinit Parida, Joakim Wincent and Marko Kohtam�ki

Industry and Innovation, 2013, vol. 20, issue 6, 544-562

Abstract: This study examines how global research and development (R&D) capabilities develop through improvisational learning. Using empirical insights from two large Swedish multinational companies and their early learning from establishing a captive R&D offshore unit in Bangalore, India, we use multicase inductive analysis to identify how companies cope with challenge related to coordinating R&D across geographically dispersed units through improvisational learning. Using a cooperative stage model analysis, we explain how improvisational learning occurs during the setup, start-up and ongoing stages of establishing captive R&D offshoring operations. We find that improvisational actions lead to developing routines as a response to solving unexpected coordination challenges and help explain how global R&D capabilities develop.

Date: 2013
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DOI: 10.1080/13662716.2013.833373

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