Title: Sectoral determinants of performance in collaborative R&D projects

Authors: Rosa Grimaldi, Nick von Tunzelmann

Addresses: CIEG, University of Bologna, Department of Management, Via Saragozza 8, 40123, Bologna, Italy. SPRU, Science and Technology Policy Research, Mantell Building, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton, BN1 9RF, UK

Abstract: The paper addresses the measurement and determinants of performance in collaborative R&D projects. It draws on some empirical analysis carried out on data and information gathered under the UK ||LINK|| scheme, a programme supporting R&D collaborative projects and assessing collaboration outcomes. A new indicator of their performance is constructed, providing a relative and quite consistent measure of performance for comparing different LINK projects. An econometric model is worked out in order to analyse the effects of some explanatory variables characterising different projects on the new performance measure. Results show a strong importance of differences across sectors. More accurate assessment should take into account the peculiarities of the industrial sectors, to investigate the effects of different causal factors. We point to differences in nature (taxonomic character), appropriability, and position in the technology chain as instances.

Keywords: collaborative R&D; LINK scheme; Pavitt taxonomy; technology chain.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.2003.003136

International Journal of Technology Management, 2003 Vol.25 No.8, pp.766-778

Published online: 12 Jul 2003 *

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