Does partner type matter in R&D collaboration for product innovation?

Most firms tend to utilise various types of RD collaboration partners simultaneously and partnerships between different types of partners show different properties. Thus, the effect of RD collaboration may vary depending on partner types. This study considers four partner types: competitors, customers, suppliers and universities. It empirically examines the effect of RD collaboration with each type of partner on product innovation, employing the Korean Innovation Survey data. Results show that RD collaborations with customers and universities have a positive effect on product innovation, whereas RD collaborations with suppliers and competitors have an inverted-U shape relationship with product innovation. This result can provide an explanation to the chaotic results of previous research and assist managers in selecting appropriate RD partner.