Innovative capability in MNC subsidiaries: evidence from four European transition economies

This article explores the determinants of innovative capability in a sample of MNC subsidiaries operating in the European transition economies. It finds that innovative capability and autonomy in product and process technology appear to be determined by a different set of variables than capability and autonomy in marketing and management. The most independent affiliates have high innovative capability in product and process technology, but are less prominent in marketing and management technology. Affiliates that are closely integrated with their parent company exhibit the opposite pattern. These differences may have some impact on the kinds of spillovers generated by different kinds of foreign direct investment projects.