This book explores the motivations of R&D foreign direct investment (FDI) in a developed country, placing a particular emphasis on the United Kingdom. Multinational enterprises operate in increasingly competitive and complex environments, and the role of R&D can be vital in the creation, adaptation or adoption of knowledge across different foreign locations. This book offers valuable insight into the similarity and distinction between strategic and specific motivations of R&D FDI at the country level, addressing a key gap in previous research on the topic. Based on an empirical study, the authors challenge current thinking in international business studies by shifting focus from R&D FDI globalisation to the concentration of R&D FDI in a single location, conceptualising the interplay of strategic and location-specific motivations. This book is a vital read for students, researchers and practitioners interested in understanding the motivations behind R&D FDI decisions in the UK and beyond.
