Impulsando el futuro: exploración de la innovación tecnológica, inversión extranjera directa y competitividad en México
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Investigación y Negocios
Abstract
En el contexto actual de transformación tecnológica y creciente competencia global, la innovación constituye un eje estratégico del desarrollo económico. Este estudio analiza el papel de la inversión extranjera directa (IED) y la inversión en investigación y desarrollo (I+D) como factores determinantes de la innovación y competitividad de México frente a sus principales socios comerciales: Estados Unidos, Canadá, Brasil, Alemania, China y Corea del Sur. El objetivo fue comparar el gasto en I+D y los flujos de IED entre estos países, evaluando su impacto en la generación de capacidades tecnológicas y en la atracción de inversión hacia sectores de alta tecnología. El análisis, de corte cuantitativo-comparativo, se basó en datos de organismos internacionales (World Bank, WIPO, OECD) entre 2000 y 2023. Se utilizaron indicadores como el gasto en I+D (% del PIB), flujos de IED netos y puntajes del Índice Global de Innovación (GII) y de Competitividad (GCI). Los resultados muestran que México mantiene un rezago estructural en I+D (0.3% del PIB), en contraste con Corea del Sur (4.8%) y Alemania (3.1%), lo que restringe su capacidad para atraer IED en sectores tecnológicos avanzados. En cambio, países como China han articulado altos niveles de I+D con flujos crecientes de IED, posicionándose como líderes globales. La evidencia sugiere que las debilidades institucionales y tecnológicas en México limitan la consolidación de ecosistemas de innovación. Se concluye que México debe incrementar la inversión en I+D, fortalecer sus instituciones y fomentar la cooperación intersectorial para mejorar su inserción en cadenas globales de valor con mayor contenido tecnológico.
In the current context of technological transformation and increasing global competition, innovation has become a strategic pillar of economic development. This study examines the role of foreign direct investment (FDI) and research and development (R&D) investment as key drivers of innovation capacity and competitiveness in Mexico, in comparison with its main trading partners: the United States, Canada, Brazil, Germany, China, and South Korea. The main objective was to compare R&D expenditure and FDI inflows among these countries, assessing their impact on technological capacity building and on attracting investment in high-tech sectors. The research followed a quantitative-comparative approach, using data from international organizations (World Bank, WIPO, OECD) for the 2000-2023 period. Key indicators included R&D spending as a percentage of GDP, net FDI inflows, and scores from the Global Innovation Index (GII) and Global Competitiveness Index (GCI). Findings reveal that Mexico lags significantly in R&D investment (0.3% of GDP), contrasting with countries such as South Korea (4.8%) and Germany (3.1%), which restricts its ability to attract FDI in advanced technological sectors and hinders economic diversification. Conversely, economies like China have combined high R&D investment with increasing FDI inflows, becoming global leaders in fields such as artificial intelligence and telecommunications. The evidence also indicates that institutional and technological limitations in Mexico obstruct the development of robust innovation ecosystems. The study concludes that Mexico must increase R&D investment, strengthen educational and technological institutions, and promote cross-sector collaboration to improve its integration into global value chains with higher technological content.
In the current context of technological transformation and increasing global competition, innovation has become a strategic pillar of economic development. This study examines the role of foreign direct investment (FDI) and research and development (R&D) investment as key drivers of innovation capacity and competitiveness in Mexico, in comparison with its main trading partners: the United States, Canada, Brazil, Germany, China, and South Korea. The main objective was to compare R&D expenditure and FDI inflows among these countries, assessing their impact on technological capacity building and on attracting investment in high-tech sectors. The research followed a quantitative-comparative approach, using data from international organizations (World Bank, WIPO, OECD) for the 2000-2023 period. Key indicators included R&D spending as a percentage of GDP, net FDI inflows, and scores from the Global Innovation Index (GII) and Global Competitiveness Index (GCI). Findings reveal that Mexico lags significantly in R&D investment (0.3% of GDP), contrasting with countries such as South Korea (4.8%) and Germany (3.1%), which restricts its ability to attract FDI in advanced technological sectors and hinders economic diversification. Conversely, economies like China have combined high R&D investment with increasing FDI inflows, becoming global leaders in fields such as artificial intelligence and telecommunications. The evidence also indicates that institutional and technological limitations in Mexico obstruct the development of robust innovation ecosystems. The study concludes that Mexico must increase R&D investment, strengthen educational and technological institutions, and promote cross-sector collaboration to improve its integration into global value chains with higher technological content.
Description
Vol. 18, No. 31