Entrepreneurial capabilities in MNEs subsidiaries. The case of the dialysis industry

This contribution approaches Multinational Enterprises (MNEs) subsidiaries as unit of analysis and aims at identifying their potential entrepreneurial behavior. The study analyses the development of entrepreneurial capabilities, coupling the management of International activities and the responsiveness to local needs: The focus is on the evolution from a traditional industry perspective, where the boundaries among industries and players are well defined and where firms must develop new capabilities of global sourcing and coordination of activities and competences provided by a number of partners to deliver value to local customers. This contribution focuses on the dialysis industry, a global oligopolistic one challenged by national responsiveness and global integration needs. In Italy, evolution in this industry is leading the main producers of technology to offer the public healthcare system an integrated service of dialysis treatment, inclusive of technologies, disposables, fluids and even personnel and building facilities. The industry also permits these global players to develop customer problem-solving capabilities and new capabilities.