Knowledge spillovers through R&D networking

In spite of the abundant research on the relation between spillovers and the optimal outcome of cooperation in R&D versus non-co-operative set-ups, and the well-acknowledged increasing occurrence of co-operative agreements, the fact that firms could manage and increase spillovers through R&D cooperation has hardly been addressed empirically. In this paper, we will show that the rationale for a policy of promoting R&D co-operation depends on the theoretical perspective that is endorsed, and on the magnitude and nature of spillovers, a matter that is still open to empirical scrutiny. Public policies that are entirely based on conclusions from analysing existing national value added linkages may be more inward- and backward looking than those which also consider (inter)national collaborative patterns, that will partly shape the future economic and technological space.