Synopsis and outlook

Abstract

R&D Networks and collaborative knowledge production have attracted increasing attention in the recent past, both in the scientific realm and in the policy sector. They can be characterised as organisational forms supporting knowledge production and diffusion processes by allowing participating actors to get access to new knowledge more rapidly, to learn from each other and to explore and exploit synergies. Today it is widely agreed that such networks play a crucial role in developing and integrating new knowledge in the innovation process, and, thus, have a profound impact on the innovative and economic competitiveness of firms, regions and countries.