R&D Collaborations in a Cluster: An Empirical Study for the Taiwan’s Hsinchu Science Park

Abstract

以群聚經濟理論為基礎，本研究試圖探討不同的研發合作類型如何影響聚落內廠商的績效。以新竹科學園區為研究範疇，透過問卷調查台灣165家資訊通訊科技廠商，本研究發現，位於科學園區內的廠商，其績效比位於科學園區外的廠商高。其次，園區內廠商與研究機構的研發合作對廠商績效有正向影響；園區外廠商與大學的研發合作或接受政府部門的技術移轉對廠商績效有正向影響。本研究結果對於業界與政策制定者在科學園區相關議題上有啟發與貢獻。

This paper, based on the agglomeration economic theory, attempts to examine what types of R&D collaborations can contribute to firm performance in a cluster. Results from the industrial data together with a questionnaire survey of 165 Taiwan`s ICT firms indicate that firms inside the cluster (a science park) outperformed firms outside the cluster in terms of seven-year averaged gross profit rates. Moreover, R&D collaborations with research institutions enhances a firm`s profits as firms locate inside the cluster whereas R&D collaborations with universities and receiving licensed technologies from the government improves a firm`s profits as firms locate outside the science park. This paper also provides implications for both practitioners and policy makers regarding science parks.