Rafael
CASTRO

"Navigating Turbulent Times: The Strategic Role of Intellectual Property Rights in Multinational Enterprises' Internationalization over the Long Run"

The primary goal of this research project is to explore how Multinational Enterprises (MNEs) adapt to shifting global economic conditions, with a particular emphasis on their strategic use of Industrial Property Rights (IPR). It aims to build on previous research that examines the relationship between MNEs, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), and IPRs, especially in the face of changing geopolitical landscapes, increasing protectionism, and the reorganization of global value chains. Through the exploration of new case studies and the analysis of historical databases (using econometric methods), the project aims to enhance our understanding of firm internationalization theory, with the potential to refine the Uppsala School's gradual internationalization model. This research is particularly relevant given the current context of economic fragmentation and uncertainty, aiming to provide insights into how MNEs leverage intangible assets to manage risks and expand their global reach.

Rafael Castro is Associate Professor at the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid. His research includes work on business history, foreign direct investments, and intellectual property rights. His latest research focusses on the history of the brand, with a double special issue in Business History (“The Brand and Its History: Economic, Business, and Social Value”, with Patricio Sáiz) and on the interactions between FDI and IPRs in the long run (“Foreign Direct Investment and Intellectual Property Rights: International Intangible Assets in Spain over the Long Term”, with Patricio Sáiz, that was awarded the Mira Wilkins Prize 2018 and the Philip Scranton Best Article Prize 2018 from the Business History Conference). His publications also include articles in Industrial and Corporate Change, Entreprises et Histoire and Business History Review, among others.