Title: Exploring public and private R&D partnership performance: a knowledge-based view of inter-organisational alliances

Authors: Elena Revilla, Joseph Sarkis, Aurelia Modrego

Addresses: Instituto de Empresa, Maria de Molina, 12, 5, 28006-Madrid, Spain. ' Graduate School of Management, Clark University, 950 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01610–1477, USA. ' Universidad Carlos III, C/ Madrid, 126, 28903-Getafe, Madrid, Spain

Abstract: This paper proposes an examination of public and private Research and Development (R&D) relationships performance and factors that determine possible success (good performance) levels, especially within a learning and knowledge management context. We apply Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) to arrive at relative efficiency scores, which serve as performance measures. The data set includes intersectoral R&D relationships supported by Spanish companies and Public Research Centres (PRC). We empirically investigate how R&D project and organisational characteristics influence R&D project performance. Our findings reveal that PRCs show more synergy with smaller organisations. Small organisations take better advantage of PRC expertise and resources. Likewise, we also show that integrated R&D projects achieve better results when they are not joined with other R&D projects or organisational functions.

Keywords: technology management; knowledge management; inter-organisational alliances; Spain; organisational learning; research and development; R&D partnerships; private R&D; public research centres; data envelopment analysis; DEA; performance measures.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSOM.2007.013461

International Journal of Services and Operations Management, 2007 Vol.3 No.4, pp.371 - 393

Published online: 30 Apr 2007 *

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