“Reverse” transfers of technology from overseas subsidiaries to American firms

Although US firms perform about 10% of their R&D overseas, little is known about the transfer of technology from overseas subsidiaries to their US parents. A study was made of the extent, growth nature, and effect of such reverse technology transfer. The results, based on data regarding 29 overseas laboratories (which account for about 10% of all overseas R&D spending by US-based firms), have implications for public policy and for the analysis of firms´ productivity and profits.