European Collaboration: Influence of Non-membership of the European Union on Collaboration in European R&D Networks: the Case of Switzerland

This article considers the impact of Swiss nonmembership of the European Union (EU) on collaborative behaviour and integrates the experience of other countries, members and non-members. Swiss researchers can take part in joint European R&D projects: using a databank analysis, a mail survey and in-depth interviews the structure of the Swiss participation is analysed. Switzerland achieves a high level of value-added from this co-operation witz the EU. Benefits for the Swiss companies include: an increase in scientific and technological performance; streghening of existing R&D networks; implementation of a considerable number of new R&D co-operations; and the establishment of new fields of research.