Motivations and risks in international licensing: A review and implications for licensing to transitional and emerging economies

In the light of changes in technology, and today's global business environm ent, recent contributions in the literature regarding international licensi ng, particularly the reasons, risks, and management of licensing are review ed. The main reasons that firms choose licensing over other methods of inte rnational market entry are examined, and the risks associated with licensin g are synthesized and updated, along with perspectives on managing those ri sks. Finally,, areas are suggested for further inquiry that may help to enr ich this field of study. Throughout, particular attention is paid to the is sues of international licensing that affect emerging and transitional econo mies, particularly from the perspective of small firms.