DIMENSIONS OF NATIONAL CULTURE AND THE PRODUCTIVITY OF R&D UNITS BEN L. KEDIA Memphis State University ROBERT T. KELLER* University of Houston SCOTT D. JULIAN Louisiana State University This research examined the ability of Hofstede’s (1980) cultural dimensions to predict productivity for 302 industrial and 506 academic research and development units from Austria, Belgium, Finland, and Sweden contained in the UNESCO International Comparative Study (Andrews, 1979). As hypothesized, low power distance and high masculinity each predicted productivity output counts. Uncertainty avoidance was not a significant predictor of productivity, and hypotheses for performance efficiency ratings were not supported. Implications for Hofstede’s concepts and the management of research and development are discussed. With the increasing concern over declining performance of U.S. industries in the global marketplace, the role and performance of U.S. research and development (R&D) has become rather paramount (Hays & Abernathy, 1980; Wheelwright, 1985; Young, 1985). In recent years, U.S. firms have been spreading R&D activities across several countries and doing an increasing proportion of their R&D outside the United States. Such spreading of R&D operations are expected to both maximize the firm’s exposure to innovation opportunities overseas and to facilitate commercialization through close market contacts. In addition, many foreign governments are also pressuring U.S. and other multinationals to locate R&D facilities in their countries since governments view such activity as a very desirable adjunct to the transfer of technology and future economic growth. *Direct all correspondence to: Professor Robert T. Keller, Department of Management, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204-6283. The Journal of High Technology Management Research, Volume 3, Number 1, pages 1-18. Copyright @ 1992 by JAI Press, Inc. All rights of reproduction in any form reserved. ISSN: 1047-8310.