Do the MNE’s global RD intensity and diversity boost its beneficial subsidiary reverse technology transfer? And how? In contingency with institutional distance

This study explores how the MNE’s parent can effectively benefit from the subsidiary reverse technology transfer, and how the institutional distance may influence it. We found that the MNE’s global R&D intensity led to positive subsidiary reverse technology transfer in a linear way, while the MNE’s global R&D diversity in geographical scope imposed a curvilinear effect on the subsidiary reverse technology transfer. Specifically, the curvilinear relationship of the later was negatively moderated by institutional distance. This study makes contributions by enriching the knowledge on the antecedents and performance consequence of the subsidiary reverse technology transfer from the MNE parent’s perspective.