Chapter 4: R&D Alliances in Science and Technology Parks: The Advantages of Location

The purpose of this study is to analyze the factors relating to R&D cooperation among companies located in science and technology parks (STPs), and the effects of that cooperation. First, we analyze the factors that may determine firm propensity to cooperate, such as innovative behavior and knowledge flows, or spillovers. Second, we analyze the impact of R&D cooperation on innovation and on firm performance. To do so, we have used a sample of 363 industrial and services companies located in STPs. The results show that the innovative behavior of firms in STPs and the related spillovers encourage the establishment of cooperation agreements. We also observed that R&D cooperation has a significant positive effect on firm propensity to innovate on product and organizational aspects, and that companies who cooperate on R&D file more patents and achieve better business results in the medium term.