Title: R&D cooperation between firms: a classification by structural variables

Authors: Klaus Brockhoff

Addresses: University of Kiel, Olshausenstr. 40, D 2300 Kiel 1, Germany

Abstract: R&D cooperation between firms has been observed quite frequently in recent recent years. A perplexing number of types of cooperation has emerged. It is interesting to see whether these can be classified into a smaller number of groups. Following the majority of the theoretical suggestions in the literature we try this on the basis of structural variables that describe the various cooperation agreements. Data from 135 large German companies are used for this study. It is shown that classification leads to plausible groups. However, there is no significant relationship between these groups and the overall success of the cooperation efforts. Reasons for this finding are explored. They lead to suggestions for further research.

Keywords: R&D cooperation; manufacturing strategy; research and development; structural classification; Germany.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.1991.025895

International Journal of Technology Management, 1991 Vol.6 No.3/4, pp.361 - 373

Published online: 25 May 2009 *

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