Knowledge flow at the fuzzy front-end of inter-firm R&D collaborations – insights into SMEs in the pharmaceutical industry

Andreas Braun, Elisabeth Mueller, Silvia Adelhelm and Gergana Vladova

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management, 2012, vol. 15, issue 1/2, 29-46

Abstract: In this paper we present the preliminary results of our research which explores the role of reciprocal knowledge flow in the fuzzy front-end of collaboration activities. On the basis of desk research, i.e., a secondary research, we develop a model to display the impact of open innovation capacities in the initiation and constitution phases. We then match this model with our empirical findings in a study with pharmaceutical SMEs. We find that both absorptive and desorptive capacities play a pivotal role in the interaction of potential cooperation partners. During the negotiation process, however, the importance of these capacities shifts from the firm to the personal level.

Keywords: inter-firm R&D; R&D collaboration; absorptive capacity; desorptive capacity; knowledge flow; flow modelling; SMEs; small and medium-sized enterprises; pharmaceutical industry; research and development. (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2012
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ids:ijeima:v:15:y:2012:i:1/2:p:29-46

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