An empirical assessment of a learning and Knowledge Management typology for Research Joint Ventures

As innovation and technology management grow in complexity, the need for inter-organisational cooperation increases. A part of this cooperation requires the understanding of how Knowledge Management (KM) and learning processes may function to support a successful research and development collaboration. To further this understanding, we use a contingency theory to examine the influence of the locus of a Research Joint Venture (RJV) on KM. To do this, we introduce a typology for RJVs to help categorise different KM efforts within a RJV environment. The typology is based on two dimensions: the locus of the RJV knowledge and the KM approach. Using a broad European database, 98 RJV projects are used to evaluate the typology and test two hypotheses related to these relationships. Implications for research and management of these types of projects are also introduced.