R&amp D Cooperation in a Transaction Cost Perspective

Byline: Leon A. G. Oerlemans (1), Marius T. H. Meeus (1) Keywords: Logistic regression models; R&amp D cooperation; transaction cost theory Abstract: This paper investigates R&amp Dcooperation between buyers and suppliers, drawing bothon transaction cost theory and resource-based theoryof the firm. Results of logistic regression analyses,using a unique firm-level database containing 689manufacturing firms located in a Dutch region, supportassumptions of transaction cost theory. Frequentknowledge transfer and moderate and high levels ofasset specificity increase probabilities of R&amp Dcooperation. In particular, Williamson's assumptionsconcerning the moderating influences of uncertainty onbilateral governance are confirmed. Extending theoriginal transaction cost model with indicatorsderived from resource based theory of the firmincreases the performance of the model. Author Affiliation: (1) Eindhoven Centre for Innovation Studies, Eindhoven University of Technology, Faculty of Technology Management, P.O. Box 513, Building DG 1.09, NL-5600 MB, Eindhoven, The Netherlands Article History: Registration Date: 03/10/2004