The internationalisation of R&D and the attraction of France

What are the factors which encourage companies to establish their R&D department in one area rather than another ? Using the results of several relevant studies, Frédérique Sachwald describes the changes which this strategic activity has seen in the course of recent decades. The increasing internationalisation of R&D meets the need to get closer to new markets and to profit from the dynamism of foreign centres of excellence, but also, in certain cases, to rationalise costs. Apart from the differences in their respective sectors, opinions from two people in the field, Jean-Patrice Savereux (IBM) and François Ballet (Aventis Pharma) confirm that the quality of infrastructure and research staff remains the decisive factor for the localisation of R&D activities. The mobility of research workers, the current laws and flexibility are areas which are unfavourable to our country.