Early-stage success factors of R&D collaborations

Several studies have researched the early-stage success factors in R&D collaborations. For example, scholars have defined spatial proximity as a success factor in R&D collaborations. However, there is still debate about how non-spatial proximity influences these collaborations. This thesis will focus on spatial and cognitive proximity in relation to product development and revenue generated as success of a R&D collaboration. The data of 75 R&D collaboration projects from the year 2000-2004 was enriched with specific locations, technological fields and European commission approved NACE codes to determine the linkages between different types of proximity and R&D collaboration success. The binary logistic regression results showed the following: Spatial proximity indeed has a positive influence on product development. Cognitive proximity appeared to not be of relevance for R&D collaboration success. These findings encourage further research into cognitive and other non-spatial proximities, while confirming the influence of spatial proximity on R&D collaboration success.