Structure and management of European R&D projects A view from industrial liaison organizations

Collaboration between economic agents, especially in technological areas, is characterized by ambiguity in terminology, multiple analytical approaches, a diversity of objectives and multiple organizational forms, among which the network constitutes the most important example of 'common organization' in international collaboration. This paper describes the main factors in the structure of a network that develops an R&D project and the predominant aspects of its management. The authors then discuss an empirical study based on technological projects developed within the framework of European RTD programmes. The sample comprises 350 industrial liaison organizations (ILOs) which often take an active part in the European Commission's Framework Programmes. The results show, from a structural point of view, how a network is shaped for technological product development. From the management perspective, the discussion highlights the role of the promoter and partners in achieving a project's objectives in terms of organization, decision and control.