The challenges of international R&D to multinational corporations

Summary form only given. Multinational corporations (MNCs) play an important role in the Singapore electronics industry, because they have substantially contributed to the annual turnover of the industry. In addition to manufacturing and production, a number of MNCs´ subsidiaries have strengthened their high-tech research and development (R&D) capacities in Singapore. Many have set up R&D centers or research labs, in which R&D activities range from consumer electronics, to computers systems, to telecommunications. This paper examines the challenges of international R&D activities by the subsidiaries of MNCs associated with the Singapore high-tech sector. A comprehensive empirical evaluation reveals that the impact of R&D on a firm´s business growth and consistence with corporate strategy are prominent considerations for international high-tech development. R&D projects that are selected and conducted with respect to these aspects might result in the generation of competitive products