Evaluating performance of public–private research collaborations: A data envelopment analysis approach

The issue of intellectual capital and its measurement is investigated in this paper. We provide an overview of how a data envelopment analysis (DEA) approach was used to investigate some characteristics of performance for joint intersectoral research and development collaboration projects, with a specific emphasis on use of intellectual property (i.e., patents) as one of the outcomes of these collaborations. Some knowledge-based factors are investigated in this paper to determine if there is a relationship between these factors and research partnership performance. Of particular focus in this paper, and focusing on the special issue topic, is whether knowledge management and knowledge goals play a role in whether these collaborations perform better or worse. The study is based on empirical data from a programme of technological policy existing in Spain, known as the Concerted Projects.