A visit of Prof. Max von Zedtwitz with the lecture “Managing Global Innovation: the Global View”
On October 8th, 2014 Prof. Max von Zedtwitz lectured at HSE Institute for Statistical Studies and Economics of Knowledge (ISSEK) in the Master’s Programme “Governance in Science, Technology and Innovation” on “Managing Global Innovation: the Global View”.
Prof. von Zedtwitz thoroughly analyzed the creation, organization/reorganization, business administration and management issues of R&D at a global level giving an overview of global R&D and innovation footprints of multinational companies, showing how R&D centers evolved in highly industrialized countries, namely the USA, European countries and Japan. He showed the growing importance of China, India and other emerging countries as R&D hubs for companies, especially in the early 2000 when all the new R&D centers were established in emerging markets. However the top R &D-performing countries by research intensity remain are Israel, Japan, USA and Switzerland, with increasing intensity in China.
The discussion proceeded over the role of universities as key drivers of R&D creation. Particular attention was paid on the accentuation of emerging countries (China, India) on natural sciences (in China about 35% all of the students are studying engineering, about 10% basic sciences). Besides, from the innovation point of view producing lots of graduates in a certain discipline does not necessarily generate innovation; the most innovative places of the world (e.g. Silicon Valley) are famous for their diversity which in the words of the speaker stipulates innovation.
Prof. von Zedtwitz talk was complemented by a lively discussion which specifically focused on the factors driving R&D internationalization (regulatory frameworks, new markets, new talents, cost optimization, etc.) and hindering the latter (immobility of scientists and engineers, coordination and information costs, political risks, etc.) The discourse revolved around the differences of SMEs’ and MNCs’ international innovation and ended with a discussion of the internationalization of Russia’s R&D – Prof. von Zedtwitz showed that 84 R&D centers set up in Russia, 83 of which by foreign companies, and no foreign R&D center by Russian companies which is also due to the fact that Russian companies are represented in the list of Fortune 1000 mostlyby oil companies, which the lecturer argues are not doing much R&D and even less international R&D.
Prof. von Zedtwitz talk was complemented by a lively discussion which specifically focused on the factors driving R&D internationalization (regulatory frameworks, new markets, new talents, cost optimization, etc.) and hindering the latter (immobility of scientists and engineers, coordination and information costs, political risks, etc.) The discourse revolved around the differences of SMEs’ and MNCs’ international innovation and ended with a discussion of the internationalization of Russia’s R&D – Prof. von Zedtwitz showed that 84 R&D centers set up in Russia, 83 of which by foreign companies, and no foreign R&D center by Russian companies which is also due to the fact that Russian companies are represented in the list of Fortune 1000 mostlyby oil companies, which the lecturer argues are not doing much R&D and even less international R&D.
Max von Zedtwitz is a visiting professor in a set of Chinese and European universities and a director of GLORAD – Center for Global R&D Management and Innovation located at Tongji University in Shanghai, the University of St. Gallen in Switzerland, and Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology in Moscow. The Center focuses in the areas of international R&D, technology and innovation organization and management, technology-based entrepreneurship, etc. It is also famous for its large databases containing information on global R&D locations,global R&D collaborations and an up-to-date list of technology and innovation management journals. Previously Pof. Doc Zedtwitz also held the positions of a Vice President of PRTM and Managing Director of AsiaCompete Int’l.