International coordination of technology flows and knowledge activity in innovation

This paper seeks to analyse technology flows and the coordination of knowledge activity within the context of technological innovation in multinational firms. A key element in analysing how technology is transferred internally within the firm is to consider the wider issue of knowledge and information flows. As the pace of technological change and diffusion has speeded up and the number and age of subsidiary operations has matured, multinationals have been increasingly faced with transferring 'softer' forms of technology and knowledge as the shift of competitive advance towards these more disembodied forms of technological change has become more prominent. Developing this theme the paper concludes by highlighting that concern about intra-firm technology transfer has shifted from moving the direct 'results' of innovation or technical elements to the delivery of a wider 'envelope' or mechanism which allows the transfer of knowledge surrounding the innovation process.