A study of collaborative R&D in Japan: Some new evidence

Collaborative R&D among researchers of Japanese universities, industries, and government laboratories is increasingly advocated in the globally competitive marketplace. This paper analysis the changes and structure of collaborative R&D network, and attempt at providing some new empirical observations for debates and discussions on one emerging dimension of the subject in Japan, namely, the nature and extent of knowledge production. It is based on empirical studies on sample data of co-authorship, R&D fund flow, and projects under "The Joint-Research System With Private Sector" system. It shows the growth and different shapes of Japanese collaborative R&D network structure. Moreover, the structural outcome seems to have qualitative changes, beyond on-going Japanese S&T policy framework.