The Effect of R&D Alliances on the Speed of Innovation: Evidence from Chinese SMEs

The aim of this paper is to analyze the R&D alliances' effect on technological innovation. There are many factors that have effect on technological innovation, but few empirical literatures have studied R&D alliances. After reviewing related literature, we propose some hypotheses and test them with a sample of 504 small and medium enterprises that have carried out R&D activities and joined in R&D alliances. The results indicate that, for small and medium enterprises, participating in R&D alliances is good for technological innovation. Moreover, capital investment and human resource has positive impacts on innovation, but which industry that enterprises belong to has no effect. (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier B.V. Selection and/or peer-review under responsibility of Garry Lee