Title: Investigating technological strategy and relevance of knowledge domains in R&D collaborations

Authors: Antonello Cammarano; Francesca Michelino; Emilia Lamberti; Mauro Caputo

Addresses: Dipartimento di Ingegneria Industriale, Università degli Studi di Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, 84084 Fisciano (SA), Italy ' Dipartimento di Ingegneria Industriale, Università degli Studi di Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, 84084 Fisciano (SA), Italy ' Trans Italia SRL – Logistica and Trasporti, Piazza Martinez n. 5 – 84085 Mercato San Severino (SA), Italy ' Dipartimento di Ingegneria Industriale, Università degli Studi di Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, 84084 Fisciano (SA), Italy

Abstract: The purpose of the paper is to provide a patent-based framework exhibiting how companies manage their R&D collaborations at the knowledge domain level. Two characteristics of the knowledge fields involved in alliances are examined - technological strategy and technological relevance - proposing an original mapping of R&D collaborations. Focal companies are selected from automotive, bio-pharmaceutical and technology hardware and equipment industries. By focusing on dyadic collaborations, the analysis is performed for both focal companies and their partners, and the significance of the mapping is tested with patent quality. Results show that the largest share of dyadic collaborations is focused on technological fields that are non-core for both partners. Also, from the standpoint of the focal firm, a prevalence of exploitation on exploration is uncovered. Different best practices emerge for each industry.

Keywords: R&D collaborations; joint development; knowledge domains; technological strategy; exploitation vs. exploration; technological relevance; core technologies; innovation quality; forward citations; patent data; automotive; bio-pharmaceutical; technology hardware and equipment; THE; technology management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.2019.096534

International Journal of Technology Management, 2019 Vol.79 No.1, pp.60 - 83

Accepted: 17 Mar 2018
Published online: 05 Dec 2018 *

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