University–industry-collaborations-in-Japan-The-role-of-new-technology-based-firms-in-transforming-the-National-Innovation-System_2005_Research-Policy.pdfVIP

Research Policy 34 (2005) 583–594 University–industry collaborations in Japan: The role of new technology-based firms in transforming the National Innovation System Kazuyuki Motohashi ∗ Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8904, Japan Available online 15 April 2005 Abstract This paper examines the role of new technology-based firms in university/industry collaborative (UIC) activities in Japan. UIC activities have been widely diffused into small startup firms over the past 5 years, according to quantitative analysis of RIETIs UIC Survey. In this paper, it is found that these smaller firms achieve higher productivity through UICs than large firms. In light of the findings of this paper, it appears that UICs are gaining momentum and are likely to play a strong role in reducing the dependence of Japan’s system of innovation on in-house RD conducted within large corporations. © 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. JEL classification: L25; O32; O33 Keywords: University/industry collaboration; New technology-based firm; Productivity; National Innovation System; Japan 1. Introduction the system from domination by in-house RD con- ducted at major corporations toward one based on a This paper examines the role of small firms in uni- network of active interactions between various inno- versity/industry collaboration (UIC) activities in Japan. vators, including universities and enterprises. Within Promoting UIC activities is a major policy priority in the latter system, sma