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Do Research Joint Ventures Serve a Collusive Function?

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  • Sovinsky, Michelle
  • Helland, Eric

Abstract

Every year thousands of firms are engaged in research joint ventures (RJV), where knowledge gained through R&D is shared among members. Many members are rivals leaving open the possibility that firms form RJVs to facilitate product collusion. We exploit variation in RJV formation generated by a policy change that affects the collusive benefits but not the research synergies of a RJV. Estimates from our RJV participation equation indicate participation is impacted by the policy change. The magnitude is significant with an average drop in the probability of joining of 30%. Our results are consistent with RJVs serving a collusive function.

Suggested Citation

  • Sovinsky, Michelle & Helland, Eric, 2019. "Do Research Joint Ventures Serve a Collusive Function?," CEPR Discussion Papers 13533, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:13533
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    Cited by:

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    2. Maarten Pieter Schinkel & Lukas Toth, 2019. "Compensatory Public Good Provision by a Private Cartel," Tinbergen Institute Discussion Papers 19-086/VII, Tinbergen Institute.
    3. Francisco Gomez Martinez & Sander Onderstal & Maarten Pieter Schinkel, 2019. "Can Collusion Promote Corporate Social Responsibility? Evidence from the Lab," Tinbergen Institute Discussion Papers 19-034/VII, Tinbergen Institute, revised 12 Nov 2019.
    4. Casoria, Fortuna & Ciccone, Alice, 2021. "Do upfront investments increase cooperation? A laboratory experiment," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 140(C).
    5. Darai, D. & Roux, C. & Schneider, F., 2019. "Mergers, Mavericks, and Tacit Collusion," Cambridge Working Papers in Economics 1984, Faculty of Economics, University of Cambridge.
    6. Christian Reiner & Maximilian Benner, 2022. "Cooperation bias in regional policy: Is competition neglected?," The Annals of Regional Science, Springer;Western Regional Science Association, vol. 69(1), pages 187-221, August.

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