Can’t Buy Me Rights! The Contractual Structure of Asymmetrical Inter-firm Collaborations

Häussler, Carolin (December 2006): Can’t Buy Me Rights! The Contractual Structure of Asymmetrical Inter-firm Collaborations. SFB/TR 15 Discussion Paper No. 189

Abstract

The efficient allocation of control rights in inter-firm collaborations is a widely emphasized issue. In this paper, I empirically identify control rights and the allocation of these rights using a unique survey data set on collaborations between biotechnology and pharmaceutical firms. Fifteen control rights are identified to make up the structure of deals with five rights being the items of contention in deal making (ownership of patents, production, further development of the technology, the right to manage the collaboration, and the right to market universally). I find that the assignment of control rights is related to the bargaining position of firms and incentive issues. Hence, goliaths –pharmaceutical incumbents–subrogate critical rights to the new ventures when the final outcome of the project is depending on the venture’s effort.

• Item Type: Paper
• Keywords: contracts, performance, inter-firm collaboration, biotechnology
• Faculties: Special Research Fields > Discussion Paper Series of SFB/TR 15 Governance and the Efficiency of Economic Systems; Special Research Fields > Discussion Paper Series of SFB/TR 15 Governance and the Efficiency of Economic Systems > A1 - Allokationsmechanismen in Organisationen und Märkten
• Subjects: 300 Social sciences > 330 Economics
• JEL Classification: D23, L24, G30, M13, O32
• Language: English