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Organizational Design of R & D Activities

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  • Stefan Ambec

    (Universite de Montreal)

  • Michel Poitevin

    (Universite de Montreal)

Abstract

This paper addresses the question of whether R&D should be carried out by an independent research unit or be produced in-house by the firm marketing the innovation. We define two contractual structures. In an independent structure, the firm that markets the innovation buys it from an independent research unit which is financed externally. In an integrated structure, the firm that markets the innovation also carries out and finances research leading to the innovation. We compare the two structures under the assumption that the research unit has some private information about the real cost of developing the new product. We find that the integrated structure dominates when an innovation costly to develop is also a less drastic technology or a product less valued by consumers. The independent structure dominates in the opposite case.

Suggested Citation

  • Stefan Ambec & Michel Poitevin, 2000. "Organizational Design of R & D Activities," Econometric Society World Congress 2000 Contributed Papers 0190, Econometric Society.
    • Handle: RePEc:ecm:wc2000:0190
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    Cited by:

    1. Versaevel Bruno & Vencatachellum Désiré, 2009. "R&D Delegation in a Duopoly with Spillovers," The B.E. Journal of Economic Analysis & Policy, De Gruyter, vol. 9(1), pages 1-42, December.
    2. Bruno Amable & Régis Breton & Xavier Ragot, 2002. "Does the “New Economy” Change the Frontiers of the Large Corporation," Recherches économiques de Louvain, De Boeck Université, vol. 68(1), pages 239-255.
    3. Dirk Bergemann & Ulrigh Hege, 2005. "The Financing of Innovation: Learning and Stopping," RAND Journal of Economics, The RAND Corporation, vol. 36(4), pages 719-752, Winter.
    4. Manfred Dix & Néstor Gandelman, 2007. "R&D Institutional Arrangements: Start‐Up Ventures Versus Internal Lab," Manchester School, University of Manchester, vol. 75(2), pages 218-236, March.
    5. HEGE, Ulrich & BERGEMANN, Dirk, 2002. "The value of benchmarking," HEC Research Papers Series 752, HEC Paris.
    6. Mathews, Richmond D., 2006. "Strategic alliances, equity stakes, and entry deterrence," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 80(1), pages 35-79, April.
    7. Dirk Bergemann & Ulrigh Hege, 2005. "The Financing of Innovation: Learning and Stopping," RAND Journal of Economics, The RAND Corporation, vol. 36(4), pages 719-752, Winter.
    8. Versaevel Bruno & Vencatachellum Désiré, 2009. "R&D Delegation in a Duopoly with Spillovers," The B.E. Journal of Economic Analysis & Policy, De Gruyter, vol. 9(1), pages 1-42, December.
    9. Versaevel, Bruno & de Villemeur, Étienne, 2003. "Conflict and Cooperation on R&D Markets," IDEI Working Papers 191, Institut d'Économie Industrielle (IDEI), Toulouse.

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    JEL classification:

    • C32 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Time-Series Models; Dynamic Quantile Regressions; Dynamic Treatment Effect Models; Diffusion Processes; State Space Models
    • C30 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - General

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