The paper addresses an issue that is often neglected in the literature on strategic technology alliances, i.e., the organizational modes of partnering as such, A classification of modes of technology cooperation in terms of inter-organizational dependence is used here to discuss major trends and characteristics of different forms of inter-firm partnering. The empirical materials is taken from the MERIT-CATI database. We have demonstrated that other, more flexible, forms of cooperation than joint ventures, such as R&D pacts, technology exchange agreements and research contracts, have become so important that the preoccupation with joint ventures cannot be justified.
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