The aim of this paper is to highlight the importance of the generation of knowledge-based competencies through the establishment of strategic alliances so that the participation in them exerts a positive direct effect in the organizational performance. It does not exist a consensus in the scientific literature about if the participation in strategic alliances allows firms to improve its performance or if, otherwise, it is necessary the existence of other factors to achieve this positive effect. In this paper we suggest that this lack of consensus is due to scarce attention given to the generation of knowledge-based competencies through the alliance.

The aim of this work is to describe the issues most frequently dealt with R&D cooperation in the last decade by means of a review of the literature. With this objective we have analyzed the papers published by the most important international journals about innovation and technology management and we have found 246 articles about R&D cooperation. The most relevant results from this research are the following ones. The quantitative evolution of these papers shows an increasing tendency during the last decade. Three international journals include most of the articles published. 15% of 246 articles have been written by authors from different countries. However, 85% of the papers have been written only by European or North-American authors. Finally, we summarise the main conclusions obtained from the review of the 246 papers. Such conclusions refer to: a) general issues, b) university-industry cooperative relationships, c) R&D cooperation effects in firms, d) relationships with non-university public bodies and e) politic-legal environment influence on R&D cooperative activity.

The paper examines the relationships between innovation strategy and three dimensions related with knowledge transfer in geographical clusters – competition intensity, regional association and managers’ advice network -. Under a dynamic capabilities approach, we suggest that the three dimensions are related with dynamic capabilities development -such as innovation – and economic performance. A structural equations model based on a stratified sample of two geographical clusters in the South of Spain was used to test the hypothesis. Results show the tree knowledge transfer mechanisms related with geographical clusters are related differently with innovation and performance, having relevant implications for geographical cluster theory.

In this paper we try to deepen how interorganizational relationships influence on innovation processes. We analyse if firms located in contexts with high levels of trust and therefore of social capital show better levels of innovation. Our empirical analysis has been developed in an industrial district, as in this context interorganizational relationships are quite often. Results suggest that trust affects both products and processes innovation.

Nowadays, Spain has a tax scheme on R&D and Innovation more favourable that OECD’s one. The tax deductions system on the tax base in the Corporation Tax Law was a new structure with some difficulties, but had attained good results. This system had built the idea that it is possible to implement a flexible, useful and trustworthiness mechanism avoiding any discrimination. That system required a continuous improvement derived from technology’s advancement, but it was applied by firms without any doubts as a reward for its R&D and Innovation efforts.

The innovation basic model gathers four variables (client, quality, communication, and management style) on an interrelated and ordinal scheme. in this scheme, variables are explained mutually.^[1] these variables are connected in a project, and this project is based and produces knowledge in a continuous pace. management of knowledge is needed. a hierarchical model for innovation tries to understand what must be done first, and what can be postponed, and what are the implementation rhythms more attuned and profitable. the model proposes also a rationale for the satisfying as the continuously attained, and for the profitable as the conservative for the new challenges and investments’ rhythm.