STI–DUI learning modes, firm–university collaboration and innovation

In this study, the relationship between the formation of different types of collaborative agreements and firm innovation is examined. Two types of agreements are distinguished: “science and technology-based” (STI) and “learning-by-doing, by-using and by-interacting-based” (DUI) partnerships. A fixed-effects logit estimation is applied on an extensive panel of Spanish manufacturing and service firms to analyze the separate and combined impact of collaborative agreements associated to STI and/or DUI modes of learning, paying special attention to the role of partnerships with universities. While STI and DUI partnerships are important for product and process innovation in both separate and combined ways, the results demonstrate that different types of collaboration lead to different types of innovation. Product innovation benefits more from the combination of DUI and STI partnerships and process innovation seems to be more closely linked to DUI-related partnerships undertaken by firms. Findings also show that firm–university collaboration, without the engagement of other STI and DUI agents in the partnership, seems to be weak for product innovation.