Title: Research partners

Authors: Nicholas S. Vonortas, Koichiro Okamura

Addresses: Department of Economics, Centre for International Science and Technology Policy, The George Washington University, 1957 E Street, N.W., Suite 403, Washington DC, 20052, USA. ' Japan Science and Technology Agency, Kojimachi Square, Bldg 3, Nibancho Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan

Abstract: The most important determinants of the probability that two firms will engage in a research partnership are the relationship between them, including resource and market interdependencies and network interactions, and the characteristics of each firm. Firms are more likely to collaborate the closer they are in terms of both technological and market profiles, the higher the expected knowledge spillovers among them, the more familiar they are with each other through past interaction, and the more centrally located they are in knowledge networks. The non-linear effect of technological overlap on the chances to collaborate suggests a balance between cost considerations and learning opportunities.

Keywords: R&D collaboration; strategic alliances; research partnerships; knowledge networks; research and development; collaborative R&D; technological overlap; costs; learning.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.2009.023377

International Journal of Technology Management, 2009 Vol.46 No.3/4, pp.280 - 306

Published online: 20 Feb 2009 *

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