문제해결관점을 기반으로 한 R&D 협력 유형의 분류 및 함의

Firm's R&D collaboration can be described as the collaborative problem solving process to solve problems jointly. As one of the most traditional manifestations of open innovation, collaborative research plays an indispensable role for firm’s R&D activities. Collaborative R&D enables firms to figure out the solutions in cooperation with other capable firms, and to figure out the solutions that are not achievable on their own. The goal of this paper is to understand the R&D collaboration process among firms using the problem-solving perspective initially suggested by Nickerson and Zenger(2004). Using this perspective, we suggest a theological framework which categorizes R&D collaboration types by subjects, locations, and solution modes of problem solving. We identified five different types of collaboration process, using the problem-solving process that consists of five different problem-solving steps: problem detection, problem definition, solution search, solution development, solution reinterpretation and internalization. Joint problem-solving process described in this paper will provide significant strategic implications for firms since this process, if successfully developed into firm’s core competency, will give firms opportunities to create values in a very innovative way.