Title: Inter-firm technological collaboration: the case of Japanese biotechnology

Authors: Edward B. Roberts, Ryosuke Mizouchi

Addresses: Sloan School of Management, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA. ' Kirin Brewing Company, Tokyo, Japan

Abstract: International trends towards collaboration among firms in the development and commercialization of new technologies are most evident in biotechnology. The optional forms of collaborative approaches – research contracts, minority equity investments, technology licensing, corporate alliances and joint ventures – are discussed in this paper with specific reference to their applicability in the biotechnology industry. Japanese practices in these areas are reviewed in depth, discussing the rationale for Japanese preferences in the use of inter-firm collaboration. Synopses of industrial data gathered on 100 firms involved in biotechnology are presented.

Keywords: collaborative R&D; new ventures; contract research; venture capital; technology licensing; corporate alliances; joint ventures; acquisitions; biotechnology; Japanese management approaches; Japan; minority equity investments; technology management; inter-firm collaboration.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.1989.026018

International Journal of Technology Management, 1989 Vol.4 No.1, pp.43 - 61

Published online: 26 May 2009 *

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