R&D Alliances and Networks Indicators at the Division of Science Resources Statistics, National Science Foundation

Abstract

Alliances, joint ventures, and other networking activities allow firms to share research and development (R&D) costs, pool risks, and enjoy access to partners’ firm-specific know-how and commercialization resources. Increasingly, corporate R&D requires a combination of technology exchange and technology co-development through strategic alliances and other linkages in order to excel in innovation and market performance. At the same time, collaborative networks are not without risks. For example, unintended transfer of intellectual property and competitive implications of collaborations have occupied business and public policy making and research for a number of years.