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Cooperation in Innovative Efforts: a Systematic Literature Review

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  • João Augusto Ferreira Freire

    (Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Campus Universitário)

  • Eduardo Gonçalves

    (Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Campus Universitário)

Abstract

The importance of cooperation in innovation has been widely studied. Cooperative settings are potential platforms for the indirect and direct transmission of knowledge. This article aims to present the results of a systematic literature review on innovation cooperation. It covers topics such as the effects of cooperation according to different governance structures, cooperation drivers, partner’s attributes, firm size, regional factors, and the host country’s current stage of economic development. In general, cooperation is an organizational setting that determines knowledge sharing and diffusion. A significant part of the empirical evidence analyzed here reveals that cooperation has a positive effect on innovation performance. Such a positive correlation is highly likely to be found in case studies of technology-intensive sectors in small regions. However, large datasets, mainly from Europe and China, also yield positive results. Results may also vary according to firms’ attributes and the type of cooperation agreement adopted.

Suggested Citation

  • João Augusto Ferreira Freire & Eduardo Gonçalves, 2022. "Cooperation in Innovative Efforts: a Systematic Literature Review," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 13(4), pages 3364-3400, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jknowl:v:13:y:2022:i:4:d:10.1007_s13132-021-00837-3
    DOI: 10.1007/s13132-021-00837-3
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