Absorptive capacity and the reach of collaboration in high technology small firms

Jeroen P.J. de Jong and Mark Freel

Research Policy, 2010, vol. 39, issue 1, 47-54

Abstract: The current paper is concerned with exploring the role of absorptive capacity in extending the reach of innovation-related collaboration in high technology small firms. Drawing on survey data from a sample of 316 Dutch high-tech small firms, engaged in 1245 collaborations, we explore the relationship between R&D expenditure and distance to collaboration partners. In general terms, we find most partners to be 'local'. However, controlling for a variety of potential influences, higher R&D expenditure is positively related to collaboration with more distant organizations. The implications of our results for policy, practice and future research are discussed.

Keywords: Collaboration; Cognitive; distance; Geographical; distance; Absorptive; capacity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2010
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (72)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:respol:v:39:y:2010:i:1:p:47-54

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