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Global R&D and Germany

For decades, Germany has been a top-3 destination and source of global R&D flows. But the confidence in Germany's science and technology prowess seems to be slipping. Germany's own R&D-intensive industries are increasingly under pressure. What can Germany, what can German companies do to maintain its position as a leader in global R&D?
This project is carried out by a team of researchers at the University of St.Gallen's Institute of Management in Asia. It is expected to conclude by August 2026. The results will be used to advise Germany's policy makers on adjusting S&T conditions in Germany, with the goal to make Germany more attractive as a place to invest in R&D, but also to help Germany companies' R&D performance abroad.
​All in all, 80 research interviews are to be conducted with global R&D leaders and experts on experts on global S&T policy. Besides Germany, the U.K., France, Japan, Korea and Switzerland will be studied as benchmark countries with regard to their S&T policies and R&D attractiveness. A database of more than 10,000 R&D center locations will be used for spatial analysis of global R&D flows in and out of Germany and these five countries.
The is project is led by Prof. Dr. Max von Zedtwitz and supported by two PhD students, Rithika Venkatesh and Ralf Mischkowski. If you would like to be involved, e.g., as an expert source on global R&D management and S&T policy, please contact Ralf Mischkowski at [email protected]. 
​Project Lead
​
Dr. Max von Zedtwitz
Professor of Strategic Management
St. Gallen Institute of Management in Asia
University of St. Gallen
Research Associate
​
Rithika Venkatesh
PhD Student
​St. Gallen Institute of Management in Asia
​University of St. Gallen
​Research Associate

​Ralf Mischkowski
​PhD Student
​St. Gallen Institute of Management in Asia
​University of St. Gallen

Useful Background Publications

  • von Zedtwitz et al. 2025: The Nobel "Pride". Research Policy 54. Download article.
  • Prud'homme & von Zedtwitz 2025: New Rules of Doing Business with China. MIT Sloan Management Review 66. Link to article.
  • Dachs et al 2024: The Internationalisation of R&D -- Past, Present, and Future. Int'l Bus Review. Download article.
  • Knudsen et al. 2023: Best practices in new product development. Journal of Product Innovation Management 40. Download article.
  • Produ'homme & von Zedtwitz 2018: The Changing Face of Innovation in China. MIT Sloan Management Review 59. Link to article.