Co-ordination and incentives in R&D contracts:: The case of public/private agreements

How can research activities between different independent actors be coordinated ? After having identified the limits of solutions provided by traditional theories (contracts theory and transaction costs theory), this text proposes an empirical and theoretical framework of analysis. In order to go beyond the static nature of these traditional theories, we consider the problem from the viewpoint of resource creation and see the initial contract as an intrinsically imperfect solution aimed at favouring co-operation. An analytical framework which emphasizes different modes of co-ordination and their combinations is proposed. Empirical analysis allows us to identify different relationship logics which correspond to particular associations linking the research themes, technical devices and modes of organization adopted.