Small MNC R&D Internationalization

Small multinationals (sMNCs) tend to be a few hundred million US$/CHF in revenue, big enough to go after foreign markets with specific and sometimes localized products, but still perhaps too small to set up sizable R&D operations. In addition, sMNCs are companies whose brands are not as widely spread in the population as the most established MNC players although they are already internationally active. Most management models either focus on entrepreneurial firms or they address already grown and large MNCs.

We are interested in finding out how these sMNCs make the transition from small focused pre-international SMEs to large globally diversified innovation powerhouses. What exactly makes the difference between sMNCs and large MNCs, in terms of management, R&D, operations, strategy, decision-making, and other relevant criteria? Very often, business units within large MNCs behave and operate like a sMNC, hence this research may be quite directly relevant also for larger MNCs.

Lucy Li, a GLORAD research assistant and student at the University of St. Gallen, is leading this study. if you are interested in a report or participating in this project, please contact her at [email protected]. Her primary focus is on Swiss MNCs and sMNCs in the chemistry/pharmaceutical and construction/mechanical engineering industries active in China.