Management of collaboration in EC R&D programmes

The requirement that firms find partners from other Member States of the European Union (EU) to undertake joint R&D was felt to be an extremely important aspect of the Framework Programme for understanding its ultimate impact upon firms' competitiveness. Based upon case studies of 13 R&D projects supported by the Commission this report concludes that firms have gained a valuable competence in being able to manage joint R&D. This collaborative skills are an important element of R&D management include personal factors as well as technical management. Commitment of senior management was very important for allocating sufficient resources and researchers to the effort.