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Inter-Firm Technological Cooperation Effects of Absorptive Capacity, Firm-Size and Specialization

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  • Rocha, Frederico

    (Universidade Federal Fluminense)

Abstract

This paper aims to add evidence on the role played by firms' technological competencies in the determination of their intensity of cooperation with other firms. Using a database composed by patents jointly filed by two or more firms in the European Patent Office, the paper: (i) finds no support for the hypothesis that in order for firms to increase their rate of cooperation they should expand their R&D expenditures; (ii) holds that technological cooperation is explained by the need of the firm to acquire complementary competencies; (iii) concludes that cooperation is an alternative technological strategy for those firms that have adopted lean production to overcome obstacles posed by the cross-fertilization of technological fields; (iv) shows that Japanese firms have a higher level of cooperation than Western ones. This latter feature may be explained by the Japanese firm's greater level of productive specialization.

Suggested Citation

  • Rocha, Frederico, 1997. "Inter-Firm Technological Cooperation Effects of Absorptive Capacity, Firm-Size and Specialization," UNU-INTECH Discussion Paper Series 1997-07, United Nations University - INTECH.
    • Handle: RePEc:unm:unuint:199707
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Effelsberg, Martin, 2011. "Wissenstransfer in Innovationskooperationen: Ergebnisse einer Literaturstudie zur "Absorptive Capacity"," Arbeitspapiere 107, University of Münster, Institute for Cooperatives.
    2. Jaakko Simonen, 2005. "The innovativeness of the Finnish high technology firms – The role of internal factors, cooperation, and the mobility of labour," ERSA conference papers ersa05p462, European Regional Science Association.

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