Determinants of Science-Based Cooperation: Evidence in a Sample of Small and Micro Firms

We study the determining factors of science-based cooperation in thecase of small and micro firms. In this research, we propose an analyticalframework based on the resource-based view of the firm and weidentify a set of organisational characteristics, which we classify as internal,external and structural factors. Each factor can be linked to atleast one reason, from the firm’s point of view, to cooperate with universitiesand public research centres. Each reason can, in turn, be usedas an indicator of a firm’s organisational needs or organisational capacities.In order to validate the theoretical model, we estimate a logisticregression that models the propensity to participate in science-basedcooperation activities within a sample of 285 small and micro firms locatedin Barcelona. The results show the key role played by the absorptivecapacity of new and small companies.