JOURNAL ARTICLE
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Die Internationalisierung deutscher Industrieunternehmen
Vierteljahrshefte zur Wirtschaftsforschung, Vol. 84 (2015), Iss. 1 : pp. 103–120
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Heike Belitz, DIW Berlin – Deutsches Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung
Abstract
Globalization is one of the primary challenges for industrialized nations like Germany, with multinational companies being the most important drivers. We are analyzing the internationalization processes of German manufacturing companies, starting 1995, and comparing them with companies in the US, France and the UK. We show that, to date, German enterprises are less internationalized than their major competitors. Mainly R&D intensive sectors are expanding, building on their position of strength at home. Cyclical economic development also influences the growth of investments, at home and abroad. Multinationals R&D abroad grows faster than the total employment. China, as well as some middle and eastern European countries, are experiencing a growth in manufacturing jobs of German companies. But only China is also quickly gaining significance as a center for R&D. There is no evidence that German manufacturing companies might be investing more in production and R&D abroad than their competitors or that they do so mainly on the expenses of their home country. The expansions abroad are likely to have strengthened Germany"s position as industrial hub.