Research joint ventures and technological proximity

Abstract

We study research joint ventures (RJV) in a setting where knowledge spillovers increase with the technological proximity between firms. The scenarios we investigate differ in the intensity of collaboration which depends on the (non)coordination of research activities and the extent of exchanged knowledge. Firms can form bilateral RJVs what leads to the existence of insiders (collaborating firms) as well as outsiders (non-collaborating firms) in an oligopolistic market. Our central findings are (i) RJVs do not generally outperform competitive research with respect to innovative output and social welfare; (ii) technological proximity and the intensity of collaboration play a decisive role for the private and social benefits of a RJV; (iii) joint research combined with complete knowledge sharing does not generally outperform less intensive collaboration forms.