The dynamic creation of knowledge: Analysing public-private collaborations

The present paper analyses the creation of knowledge in dynamic collaborations between private firms and public research institutions in Denmark. The focus is on collaborations promoting innovation in projects that involve 'new' science. Two case studies are introduced and the role of government in facilitating public-private interactions is discussed. Other themes touched upon are the general uncertainty connected with research-based innovation projects; the problem of managing public-private collaborations; the dilemma of building long-term competencies versus the imperative to create marketable products in the short run; and institutional transformation. The analysis distinguishes between market-pull and technology-push cases. There appears to be a greater need for formal programmes supporting public-private collaboration in the technology-push case, where there is a high degree of market uncertainty, than in the market-pull case.