Organizing High-Tech R&D - Secrets Of Successful Innovation Alliances

The authors use the data compiled from the USPTO patent and patent citations concerning the patented knowledge intensive technologies in three areas: cryptography, image analysis and data processing/software. The data is restricted to those patents between the years 1980-2003 that have two or more assignees, i.e. they consider only joint patents. They find some evidence that technological or product market proximity of partners in R&D alliance matters but whether the closeness generates more or less valuable innovations depends on the technology field.