摘要
本文研究了電子外商直接投資（FDI）企業在發展中國家的子公司功能升級所面臨的挑戰和機遇，並重點以越南為例進行了案例研究。該研究旨在了解為何這些子公司在越南運作多年卻無法進行功能升級。阻礙或促進子公司追求功能升級措施的主要因素是什麼，並探討克服這些挑戰的潛在策略。研究採用質性研究方法，利用訪談、文件分析和二手資料來源，從選定的越南子公司收集見解。調查結果顯示，雖然子公司具備進行功能升級的能力，但它們面臨重大障礙，包括有限的自主權和與國際標準實驗室的合作、對海外供應商的依賴以及監管限制。儘管有這些挑戰，外商直接投資（FDI）公司採用「中國+1」策略，以及供應鏈的遷移和許多跨國公司在越南的擴張，將間接為子公司提供更多參與功能升級計畫的機會。此外，這項研究表明，政府和企業都需要調整其發展策略以利用這些機會。與以往的研究只強調內部動態能力，沒有考慮外部因素的影響，而外部因素的影響最終成為子公司追求功能升級的障礙相比，本研究的研究結果為影響發展中國家電子子公司功能升級的動態因素提供了更廣泛的視野。
關鍵字：OEM、電子、子公司、功能升級、動態能力、外部因素、總部、客戶、當地合作夥伴、政府、研發、中國+1策略

This thesis investigates the challenges and opportunities associated with functional upgrading for Electronics Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) enterprises' subsidiaries in developing countries, with a focus on a case study in Vietnam. The research aims to understand why those subsidiaries have been operating in Vietnam for many years but cannot pursue functional upgrading. What are the main factors that hinder or facilitate the pursuit of functional upgrading initiatives by subsidiaries and explore potential strategies for overcoming these challenges. The study employs a qualitative research approach, drawing on interviews, document analysis, and secondary data sources to gather insights from a selected subsidiary in Vietnam. The findings reveal that while subsidiaries possess the capabilities to engage in functional upgrading, they face significant barriers, including limited autonomy and collaboration with international standard laboratories, reliance on overseas suppliers, and regulatory constraints. Despite these challenges, the adoption of a China+1 strategy by foreign direct investment (FDI) companies with the relocation of the supply chain and expansion of many MNC in Vietnam will indirectly present opportunities for subsidiaries to enhance their involvement in functional upgrading initiatives. Besides, this research suggests that both governments and firms need to adjust their development strategies to capitalize on these opportunities. The findings provide a broader picture of the dynamic factors that affect the functional upgrading of the electronics subsidiaries in developing countries compared with previous research that only emphasizes the internal dynamics capabilities without considering the external factors’ effects that ultimately are the obstacles for subsidiaries to pursue the functional upgrading in developing countries.
Keywords: OEM, Electronics, Subsidiary, Functional upgrading, Dynamic capabilities, External Factors, Headquarters, Customers, Local partner, Government, R&D, China + 1 strategy

Contents
Abstract 3
1. Introduction 6
2. Literature Review 9
2.1. Economic Upgrading and Functional Upgrading 9
2.2. Internal Dynamic Capabilities for Functional upgrading in a subsidiary 12
2.2.1. Manufacturing Capabilities 12
2.2.2. Absorptive Capabilities 13
2.2.3. Technological Capabilities 13
2.3. External factors affecting Functional upgrading in a subsidiary. 14
2.3.1. Headquarters and Customer’s Role 14
2.3.2. Local Partner’s Role 15
2.3.3. Government’s Role 16
2.4. Conceptual framework 16
3. Methodology 17
3.1. Research method. 17
3.2. Sample selection 18
3.3. Data collection method 19
4. Main Findings. 20
4.1. A’s internal dynamic capabilities 21
4.1.1. Manufacturing capabilities 21
4.1.2. Absorptive capabilities 23
4.1.3. Technology capabilities 24
4.2. External factors that affect the functional upgrading of B 26
4.2.1. Headquarters and Customers 26
4.2.2. Local Partners 29
4.2.3. Government 31
5. Conclusion 36
6. Discussion 38
7. Limitations and recommendations 40
References 43

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