FDI and the Innovation Ecosystem in Bangladesh: Evaluating the Spillover Effects of Foreign R&D on SMEs’ Innovation Capacity

This study examines the transformative role of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in enhancing the innovation capacity of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Bangladesh through knowledge spillovers from foreign research and development (R&D) activities. By leveraging a mixed-methods approach, th...

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Main Author: Amitavo BAIRAGI
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Editura ASE 2025-06-01
Series:Management and Economics Review
Subjects:
Online Access:https://mer.ase.ro/files/2025-2/10-2-12.pdf
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author Amitavo BAIRAGI
author_facet Amitavo BAIRAGI
author_sort Amitavo BAIRAGI
collection DOAJ
description This study examines the transformative role of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in enhancing the innovation capacity of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Bangladesh through knowledge spillovers from foreign research and development (R&D) activities. By leveraging a mixed-methods approach, the research explores mechanisms such as technology adoption, skill enhancement, and collaborative projects that facilitate knowledge transfer to local SMEs. Empirical findings underscore that high-technology sectors benefit the most from FDI-driven innovation. At the same time, resource limitations, regulatory barriers, and insufficient absorptive capacity hinder SMEs from fully leveraging these opportunities. The study also identifies critical factors, including government policy support and infrastructure development, that influence the effectiveness of FDI spillovers. Recommendations include targeted policy interventions, enhanced training programs, and fostering foreign-local firm collaborations to optimise FDI’s impact on the innovation ecosystem. These insights provide a framework for sustainable and innovation-led economic growth in Bangladesh and similar emerging markets.
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spelling doaj-art-e5d5c6e633fd4f529b8d80694f8aa33d2025-08-20T03:25:07ZengEditura ASEManagement and Economics Review2501-885X2025-06-0110245747010.24818/mer/2025.02-12FDI and the Innovation Ecosystem in Bangladesh: Evaluating the Spillover Effects of Foreign R&D on SMEs’ Innovation CapacityAmitavo BAIRAGI0Academy of East London, United KingdomThis study examines the transformative role of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in enhancing the innovation capacity of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Bangladesh through knowledge spillovers from foreign research and development (R&D) activities. By leveraging a mixed-methods approach, the research explores mechanisms such as technology adoption, skill enhancement, and collaborative projects that facilitate knowledge transfer to local SMEs. Empirical findings underscore that high-technology sectors benefit the most from FDI-driven innovation. At the same time, resource limitations, regulatory barriers, and insufficient absorptive capacity hinder SMEs from fully leveraging these opportunities. The study also identifies critical factors, including government policy support and infrastructure development, that influence the effectiveness of FDI spillovers. Recommendations include targeted policy interventions, enhanced training programs, and fostering foreign-local firm collaborations to optimise FDI’s impact on the innovation ecosystem. These insights provide a framework for sustainable and innovation-led economic growth in Bangladesh and similar emerging markets.https://mer.ase.ro/files/2025-2/10-2-12.pdfforeign direct investment (fdi)innovation ecosystemsmall and medium enterprises (smes)knowledge spillovers
spellingShingle Amitavo BAIRAGI
FDI and the Innovation Ecosystem in Bangladesh: Evaluating the Spillover Effects of Foreign R&D on SMEs’ Innovation Capacity
Management and Economics Review
foreign direct investment (fdi)
innovation ecosystem
small and medium enterprises (smes)
knowledge spillovers
title FDI and the Innovation Ecosystem in Bangladesh: Evaluating the Spillover Effects of Foreign R&D on SMEs’ Innovation Capacity
title_full FDI and the Innovation Ecosystem in Bangladesh: Evaluating the Spillover Effects of Foreign R&D on SMEs’ Innovation Capacity
title_fullStr FDI and the Innovation Ecosystem in Bangladesh: Evaluating the Spillover Effects of Foreign R&D on SMEs’ Innovation Capacity
title_full_unstemmed FDI and the Innovation Ecosystem in Bangladesh: Evaluating the Spillover Effects of Foreign R&D on SMEs’ Innovation Capacity
title_short FDI and the Innovation Ecosystem in Bangladesh: Evaluating the Spillover Effects of Foreign R&D on SMEs’ Innovation Capacity
title_sort fdi and the innovation ecosystem in bangladesh evaluating the spillover effects of foreign r d on smes innovation capacity
topic foreign direct investment (fdi)
innovation ecosystem
small and medium enterprises (smes)
knowledge spillovers
url https://mer.ase.ro/files/2025-2/10-2-12.pdf
work_keys_str_mv AT amitavobairagi fdiandtheinnovationecosysteminbangladeshevaluatingthespillovereffectsofforeignrdonsmesinnovationcapacity