Check the right form and partner for a cooperation: The CoCoSys-tool

Today, companies can incorporate knowledge from outside partners much easier than ever before to reduce the risk involved with new product development. Models of various kinds of cooperation exist, which show specific advantages for certain situations. Important factors for cooperation success are the definition of the goals, the partner's properties as well as the form of cooperation. The tool presented in this paper allows an easy identification of the right kind pf partner for a given problem and helps in setting up the collaboration more easily. It can be applied by managers of industrial companies regardless of size or industry. The tool is derived from a set of case studies and information about various kinds of research - industry - projects and helps to achieve more successful partnerships. It consists of a four stage process supported by four decision matrixes. The tool described in this paper will be useful for practitioners in setting up new co-operations and gives academia a framework for the cooperation initiation phases.