Does collaborating with academia improve industry science? Evidence from the UK biotechnology sector, 1988‐2001

Abstract

Purpose

To test the effect of public‐private collaboration on research quality in the UK biotechnology industry.

Design/methodology/approach

Development of an economic model suggesting that collaboration results in learning gains that lead to higher quality research and subsequently testing of this model using unique data from the UK biotechnology sector from 1988‐2001.

Findings

Collaborative research does indeed improve research quality, although the nature of the biotech firm in question seems to be an important factor in determining how strongly positive an effect public‐private collaboration has on research quality.

Originality/value

Shows that there exists a growing body of work that points to the increasing value of public‐private interaction for the performance and growth of high technology science‐based firms and industries. However, research on the effects of this interaction on the resulting quality of scientific output is scarce.

Citation

Kumaramangalam, K. (2005), "Does collaborating with academia improve industry science? Evidence from the UK biotechnology sector, 1988‐2001", Aslib Proceedings, Vol. 57 No. 3, pp. 261-277. https://doi.org/10.1108/00012530510599217