R&D COLLABORATION AND NANOTECHNOLOGY — AN OPPORTUNITY FOR TRADITIONAL INDUSTRIES

Abstract

This paper focuses on assessing the modes of research and development (R&D) collaboration and technological lifecycles in the Finnish pulp and paper industry. This traditional manufacturing industry is currently undergoing changes due to market and technological developments. By discussing industrial and technological lifecycles, this paper aims to establish the extent to which these changes affect the R&D collaboration networks in the industry. The paper also provides insight regarding how the incumbents in this industry change their innovation activities in the face of a new science-based technology — nanotechnology — which is argued to have a significant impact on innovative activities in many traditional and high-tech industries. The results suggest that the Finnish pulp and paper industry is adapting to the changing innovation environment by increasing internal R&D investment and by extending and diversifying its R&D collaboration networks. The results also indicate that nanotechnology is seen as a potential new source of business for the pulp and paper industry but that investment will be required, particularly in absorptive capacity, to take advantage of these new technologies.