Showing papers on "Information sharing published in 1996"
••
TL;DR: In this article, a study of the attitudes and opinions of state government managers showed that more than 8 in 10 judge information sharing to be moderately to highly beneficial, and specific concerns about the inherent professional, programmatic, and organizational risks.
Abstract: The sharing of program information among government agencies can help achieve important public benefits: increased productivity; improved policy-making; and integrated public services. Information sharing, however, is often limited by technical, organizational, and political barriers. This study of the attitudes and opinions of state government managers shows that more than 8 in 10 judge information sharing to be moderately to highly beneficial. It also reveals specific concerns about the inherent professional, programmatic, and organizational risks. The study proposes a theoretical model for understanding how policy, practice, and attitudes interact and suggests two policy principles, stewardship and usefulness, to promote the benefits and mitigate the risks of sharing.
416 citations
••
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a general model which encompasses virtually all models of the existing literature on information sharing as special cases, and show that in contrast to the apparent inconclusiveness of previous results some simple principles determining the incentives to share information can be obtained.
322 citations
••
16 Nov 1996TL;DR: The model developed in this paper takes as its starting point a previous spatial model of interaction and exploits the partitioning of space inherent within the spatial model to allow its application to non-spatial applications.
Abstract: This paper presents a model of awareness for shared cooperative applications. The model developed in this paper takes as its starting point a previous spatial model of interaction. A more general model is suggested that allows the action of users to be represented and made available to other users of the application. The developed model exploits the partitioning of space inherent within the spatial model to allow its application to non-spatial applications. The general applicability of the model is demonstrated by considering a range of different interpretations across a number of cooperative applications.
255 citations
••
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined the impact of three different factors on information sharing and quality of group decision: (a) group decision procedure (an instruction to "rankorder the alternatives" vs "choose the best alternative"), (b) information access during group discussion (reliance on memory vscomplete access), and (c) communication technology (computer vs face to face).
200 citations
••
TL;DR: This study describes the defining stages, key events, and obstacles of the road traveled by Bose IS in transforming itself from a corporate utility into an enterprise-wide source of process innovation and improvement.
Abstract: Orchestrating programs of organizational transformation that result in sustained process improvement represents a difficult managerial challenge. Yet, ever-changing customer requirements, electronic partnerships, and increasingly complex intraorganizational arrangements are forcing many well-established firms to transform themselves from function-based forms of organization into process-based systems of managerial, task, and evaluative arrangements. Through a program of managed transformation, the Information Services (IS) function at Bose Corporation has realized dramatic improvements in the delivery of information products/services and is now "charting the course" for a sustained process management view that will define and measure business relationships well into the next century. In contrast to many well-publicized programs of change, the drive toward sustained process improvement and innovation by Bose IS resembles an evolutionary model of organizational learning and information sharing rather than a revolutionary model of immediate and drastic transformation. This study describes the defining stages, key events, and obstacles of the road traveled by Bose IS in transforming itself from a corporate utility into an enterprise-wide source of process innovation and improvement.
116 citations
••
01 Aug 1996
TL;DR: This work introduces matchmaking, and argues that it permits large numbers of dynamic consumers and providers, operating on rapidly-changing data, to share information more effectively than via traditional methods.
Abstract: Trends such as the massive increase in information available via electronic networks, the use of on-line product data by distributed concurrent engineering teams, and dynamic supply chain integration for electronic commerce are placing severe burdens on traditional methods of information sharing and retrieval. Sources of information are far too numerous and dynamic to be found via traditional information retrieval methods, and potential consumers are seeing increased need for automatic notification services. Matchmaking is an approach based on emerging information integration technologies whereby potential producers and consumers of information send messages describing their information capabilities and needs. These descriptions, represented in rich, machine-interpretable description languages, are unified by the matchmaker to identify potential matches. Based on the matches, a variety of information brokering services are performed. We introduce matchmaking, and argue that it permits large numbers of dynamic consumers and providers, operating on rapidly-changing data, to share information more effectively than via traditional methods. Two matchmakers are described, the SHADE matchmaker, which operates over logic-based and structured text languages, and the COINS matchmaker, which operates over free text. These matchmakers have been used for a variety of applications, most significantly, in the domains of engineering and electronic commerce. We describe our experiences with the SHADE and COINS matchmaker, and we outline the major observed benefits and problems of matchmaking.
82 citations
••
01 Sep 1996
TL;DR: This work interviewed information workers in multiple technical areas of a large, diverse company, and it is shown how the need to structure information for multiple, partly unanticipated uses helps users accomplish some of this restructuring.
Abstract: We interviewed information workers in multiple technical areas of a large, diverse company, and we describe some of the unsatisfied information needs we observed during our study. Two clusters of issues are described. The first covers how loosely coupled work groups use and share information. We show the need to structure information for multiple, partly unanticipated uses. We show how the construction of information compounds helps users accomplish some of this restructuring, and we explain how structuring flexibility is also required because of temperamental differences among users. The second cluster of issues revolves around collections of tightly coupled work groups. We show that information shared within such groups differs from information shared across group boundaries. We present the barriers to sharing which we saw operating both within groups and outside, and we explain the function of resource and contact broker which evolved in the settings we examined. For each of these issues we propose implications for information tool design.
56 citations
•
18 Nov 1996
TL;DR: In this paper, a networked information sharing model is described, which comprises a client-server model or a client only model, and includes a shared information database, a shared category database and a shared interest profile.
Abstract: A networked information sharing model is described. The network described comprises a client-server model or a client only model. There exists a shared information database, a shared category database, a shared interest profile database and a shared client enhancement database, each of which is continually and dynamically updated. The shared category database contains categories of interests, within which are weighted and marked information units. Weights are arrived at by empirical use. Marks are maintained to distinguish where the information came from and to access information according to client source preference. The shared interest profile contains a set of profiles which clients are associated with. Useful client categories within profiles are offered when requested. A shared client enhancement list is maintained to identify and weight useful sources of information. A client specific database is maintained with client categories, preferred information sources, weights and weighted information access history. This database is used in conjunction with the shared databases to provide intelligent information sharing.
47 citations
••
TL;DR: This paper derives and discusses essential, general characteristics of shared project models, which include a model's layers of abstraction, content, extensibility, and support of integration mecha nisms.
Abstract: Integration of data and knowledge among project participants and their computer applications promises to improve the quality and efficiency of the project-delivery process in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AlFJC) industry. Integration, we argue, can be achieved through shared project models. In the present paper, we give two examples of such models by summarizing two research projects that developed and used shared project models. In the first example, a project model supports constructability evaluation of a building structure. The second example shows how a shared project model supports construction-management tasks. From these examples, we derive and discuss essential, general characteristics of shared project models. These characteristics include a model's layers of abstraction, content, extensibility, and support of integration mecha nisms. These mechanisms range from file sharing, to shared databases, and application-programming interfaces. They support information sharing via custom translation, translation to a shared model, or adoption of a common model at the application, system, or industry level. This paper ends with brief discussions of standardization efforts and implementation technologies.
47 citations
•
03 Oct 1996TL;DR: This dissertation presents a taxonomy of information sharing in collaborative applications, and presents an underlying model that can be used to implement the coordination goals provided by the development of software infrastructure.
Abstract: Research into collaborative software systems has recognized the importance of coordination in promoting effective interactions among collaborators. Coordination is the process of bringing groups of users together into a common action. More specifically, in the computer-supported cooperative work realm, coordination refers to the "real world" issues of collaborator location, awareness, rendezvous, and policy that must be addressed if collaborative software is to approach the fluidity of physical human interactions.
My research has focused on the development of software infrastructure to support the coordination needs of collaborative applications. In essence, my research examines how to bring contextual information about users and their activities into the mediated computer world, and the implications of having such information available to applications and other users.
Three specific areas of concern are user awareness, session management, and policy control. These areas are interrelated and share a commonality of implementation. This dissertation presents a taxonomy of information sharing in collaborative applications, and examines the three specific topics in detail. I also present an underlying model that can be used to implement the coordination goals provided by my infrastructure.
36 citations
01 Jan 1996
••
18 Nov 1996TL;DR: The paper illustrates some of the required features in the context of an application scenario and outlines those aspects of the Mushroom system architecture that support the sharing of information.
Abstract: This paper reports on the Mushroom project. The project is developing a software framework for collaborative working and user interaction on the Internet. The paper illustrates some of the required features in the context of an application scenario and outlines those aspects of the Mushroom system architecture that support the sharing of information. The project's motivation is to address the problems of coordinated user interaction, distribution and privacy. Mrooms are interactive environments for groups of collaborating users. They provide a shared space in which users are aware of one another while working on shared objects. Their boundaries provide a triggering mechanism for consistency and privacy checks. In contrast to other systems with room-based metaphors, Mushroom focuses on a scalable and flexible system architecture using replicated state, group communication and event-based updates.
••
TL;DR: It is suggested that mechanisms involving organizational outlook, social orientation, equitable information processing capability and communication across decision units regarding information requirements can help mitigate the information sharing problem.
Abstract: Organizational restructuring focuses on making business operations more flexible and responsive to customers. This has led to team based decision authority structures and horizontal business processes. Concurrently, the management of information has been decentralized in many organizations. Horizontal processes create information interdependencies among previously independent tasks, and call for high levels of information sharing among decision units. However, the decentralization of information management raises the possibility that units controlling specific information repositories may not readily make them available in the required form to other units, leading to poor organizational payoff. Thus it is critical to create an environment which will promote effective information flows across the organization. We suggest that mechanisms involving organizational outlook, social orientation, equitable information processing capability and communication across decision units regarding information requirements can help mitigate the information sharing problem. Using stylized game-theoretic models, we show that these organizationally oriented mechanisms have a sound economic foundation. We use these results to build a managerial basis for improving information exchange.
••
19 Jun 1996TL;DR: This work introduces the concept and mechanism of the Dynamic Classificational Ontology (DCO), which is a mediator to help participants identify and resolve ontological similarities and differences in the CFDBS context.
Abstract: A Cooperative Federated Database System (CFDBS) is an information sharing environment in which units of information to be shared may be substantially structured, and participants are actively involved in sharing activities. We focus on the problem of shared ontology for the purpose of discovery in the CFDBS context. We introduce the concept and mechanism of the Dynamic Classificational Ontology (DCO), which is a mediator to help participants identify and resolve ontological similarities and differences. A DCO contains top level knowledge about information units exported by information providers, along with classificational knowledge. By contrast with fixed hierarchical classifications, the DCO builds domain specific, dynamically changing classification schemes; it specifically contains knowledge about overlap among information units. Information providers contribute to the DCO when information units are exported, and the current knowledge in the DCO is in turn utilized to guide export and discovery of information. At the cost of information providers' cooperative efforts, this approach supports much more systematic discovery than that provided by keyword based search, with substantially greater precision and recall. An experimental prototype of the DCO has been developed, and applied and tested to improve the precision and recall of Medline document searches for biomedical information sharing.
01 Jan 1996
TL;DR: This paper will highlight the following: The problem with disconnected information in construction industry, the drawing set, and the opportunity to leverage interoperable technology to address information sharing and the needs of the global projects.
Abstract: This paper will highlight the following: The problem with disconnected information in construction industry, the drawing set. Separate interests, perspectives, and information between players in the building industry make data sharing difficult. The building industry loses efficiency because of lack of data sharing. Moving past the relational and graphics model into the next technology. A new paradigm modelled after another industry. The effect of project information over time and between disciplines. The opportunity to leverage interoperable technology to address information sharing and the needs of the global projects. The new technology and its effects on time during the project cycle. The Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) and the opportunities for the entire industry to participate in defining common information model for the construction industry and benefit in its definition through Industry Alliance for Interoperability. In addition to increased efficiency, IFC will make possible a new generation of software applications that were previously cost prohibitive or otherwise not possible (e.g. model-driven cost estimating / construction scheduling and automated engineering analysis and simulation). Greater efficiency and use of new applications will bring the opportunity to improve the speed and quality of building design, construction and ongoing maintenance.
••
TL;DR: A survey of small-firm network behaviour and the impact of an intermediary agency (the Canterbury Business Advisory Agency) in seeking to assist network development was carried out by as mentioned in this paper, who found that small businesses engage in various types of networking including information sharing, resource sharing and subcontracting.
Abstract: There is increasing interest in the role that business networking can play in regional and national economic development. While networking is an acknowledged characteristic of successful industrial districts, there is uncertainty as to how networking can be stimulated effectively in less favoured regions. This article reports New Zealand evidence from a survey of small-firm network behaviour and the impact of an intermediary agency - the Canterbury Business Advisory Agency - in seeking to assist network development. Small businesses were found to engage in various types of networking including information sharing, resource sharing and subcontracting. Little evidence of deliberate strategy about networking was found, however, and most respondents relied on a narrow range of contacts. Network promotion is identified as a way of assisting small-firm development and several ways assistance can be delivered are identified.
••
TL;DR: A number of issues and extensions that are not only vital to KQML-based matchmaking, but to inter-agent protocols in general are identified.
Abstract: As agents see more use in dynamic, distributed information networks, information sharing facilitators, such as the SHADE matchmaker, and underlying knowledge-based agent communication protocols, such as the Knowledge Query and Manipulation Language, will see increased use. We have created several communities of agents collaborating via KQML and matchmaking within the domains of collaborative engineering and satellite image retrieval. Based on these experiences, matchmaking has proven to be very beneficial for multi-agent systems, but we have also identified a number of issues and extensions that are not only vital to KQML-based matchmaking, but to inter-agent protocols in general. These include representational approaches to advertising complex databases, approaches to error recovery and response timing, maintaining consistency among information providers, scalability, security, persistent requests in information brokering, and the dilemma between explicit vs implicit brokering.
••
15 Sep 1996
TL;DR: An integrated solution for computerized distribution planning in a geographic information system (GIS) context, a synergy that magnifies the data accessibility between load forecasting and feeder planning tools, scaling the traditional gap between long-term and short-term distribution system planning.
Abstract: Electric distribution planning involves a great deal of information, residing in different systems. Information sharing among these systems is essential in improving the efficiency and quality of distribution system planning. This paper presents an integrated solution for computerized distribution planning in a geographic information system (GIS) context, a synergy that magnifies the data accessibility between load forecasting and feeder planning tools, scaling the traditional gap between long-term and short-term distribution system planning. A stochastic cell-based load forecasting algorithm is first developed, followed by an optimal load allocation module, NODESIM, which spatially relates the load growth to the vector-based circuit topology from feeder planning tools. NODESIM enables the multi-year distribution system studies in a GIS context, to best assist utility planners in deciding where and when the customers will grow and how to expand the system facilities to meet the demand growth.
••
TL;DR: In this paper, the average squared sales as a test for non-collusive information sharing in Cournot oligopoly is used. And the authors suggest that information sharing should be granted if it increases firms' average square sales.
••
TL;DR: The current dysfunctioning of the international climatic information industry demands improved communication among these diverse communities as mentioned in this paper and proposes a twofold strategy for improving the situation: a climatic change information exchange and an explicit recognition of the need for cyclic social cooperation among the participating groups.
Abstract: The climatic change “debate” seems to be expanding faster than the available information base. National and international response strategies (mitigation and adaptation) are being discussed in board rooms, governments and the media. Phrases like “the uncertainty in the scenarios” appear to carry meaning but the information seems to be, at best, incomplete and, at worst, totally debased by multiple definitions and usages. “Scenarios” are predictions of possible futures. The “(un)certainty” that characterizes them encompasses prejudices, perspectives, incompleteness of information as well as the differences in completeness, accuracy and sensitivity of different forecasting tools. (Un)certainty is the source of experimentation and learning but excessive (un)certainty is noise and so the search for a signal requires its reduction. This reduction process can both promote planning and co-ordination but also quash unconventional, but ultimately valuable, ideas. Balancing this tension across the modern, multifaceted climatic “divisions” of technology, training, information access, understanding, terminology, economic development, societal flexibility and social and political perceptions is difficult. The current dysfunctioning of the international climatic information “industry” demands improved communication among these diverse communities. This paper discusses some of the difficulties as perceived by a physical scientist turned “gatekeeper” and proposes a twofold strategy for improving the situation: a climatic change information exchange and an explicit recognition of the need for cyclic social co-operation among the participating groups.
••
18 Aug 1996TL;DR: An information system for knowledge amplification in the virtual enterprise is proposed, which includes a symbiotic network for information capturing and sharing through the WWW and multimedia email and an integrated product data manager for creation, evaluation, decision and archiving.
Abstract: Based on an analysis of Sony's practice, the core of innovation in product development is viewed in the paper as knowledge amplification, which depends on an iterative exploration cycle and information emergence through the cycle by capturing both articulable and tacit knowledge An information system for knowledge amplification in the virtual enterprise is proposed, which includes a symbiotic network for information capturing and sharing through the WWW and multimedia email; an integrated product data manager for creation, evaluation, decision and archiving; an activity scheduler for workflow coordination, and an object-oriented database as shared information server for product, process and organization data
••
TL;DR: The paper discusses the conceptual design, empirical development and actual use of a system that supports model-based reasoning and aids the coordination of multi-user work-flow processes and introduces the job concept as a medium for modelling multi- user processes in decision-support projects.
••
TL;DR: The development of pens (Personal Electronic Notebook with Sharing) responds to observed designers' needs for a lightweight tool that is facile enough to compete with paper notebooks in functionality.
••
TL;DR: This paper examines the importance of sharing within cooperative systems and argues for a specialized service to support the cooperative aspects of information sharing, and proposes a set of novel and viable design concepts, and the beginnings of an architectural framework for providing shared object services for CSCW systems.
Abstract: This paper examines the importance of sharing within cooperative systems and argues for a specialized service to support the cooperative aspects of information sharing. An investigation into the current information models used by Computer Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW) applications is presented. This is complemented by highlighting the problems faced by traditional database mechanisms in supporting cooperative applications. From this we form a set of requirements for CSCW information systems, and this analysis is used directly in the creation of new software concepts and an associated framework. Rather than present a detailed design, we propose a set of novel and viable design concepts, and the beginnings of an architectural framework for providing shared object services for CSCW systems. The relationship between the cooperative shared object service and existing services is briefly examined. A number of services of particular importance to CSCW systems are identified. More detailed consideration is given for a selection of service elements. The paper presents both the need for these services and the means of realizing the shared object service by augmenting existing object facilities.
••
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors show that information sharing among all firms is sometimes coalition-proof, and that information exchange among a proper subset of the firms can constitute a coalitionproof equilibrium.
Abstract: In a three-firm oligopoly model we show that, in addition to being a simple Nash equilibrium, information sharing among all firms is sometimes coalition-proof, and, information exchange among a proper subset of the firms can constitute a coalition-proof equilibrium. Thus, information exchange among firms, even without collusion on prices or outputs, can be very stable and may occur more widely than previously expected.
••
TL;DR: A database has been developed as part of the research undertaken by the INQUA Global Continental Palaeohydrology Project (GLOCOPH) to facilitate the preservation and access of palaeohydrological data within the public domain, and through this the organization, facilitation, association and bisociation of the data as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Abstract The hydrological cycle is interactively integral with climate, so that for an understanding of future environmental change it is important to have hydrological data accessible from previous times to use in both hydrological and climate change modelling of past, and also of present and future environments and also for the development and operation of surface water resources. A database has been developed as part of the research undertaken by the INQUA Global Continental Palaeohydrology Project (GLOCOPH) to facilitate the preservation and access of palaeohydrological data within the public domain, and through this the organization, facilitation, association and bisociation of the data.
•
TL;DR: The Hawaii Department of Education (DOE) is faced with increased public expectations and demands while concurrently battling budget reductions, and groupware technology was identified as the mechanism that could efficiently and effectively support statewide collaboration and information dissemination.
Abstract: Like many school systems across the country, the Hawaii Department of Education (DOE) is faced with increased public expectations and demands while concurrently battling budget reductions. Current conditions require efficient and effective utilization of financial and personnel resources in order to be successful in developing literate students. In early 1996, the newly appointed Superintendent of Education in Hawaii set a vision for education focusing on literacy through a program called The Success Compact. The program emphasizes a consistent instructional process, within a school community, that leads to reading, writing and relating across content areas. While a focus on literacy is not new, the process is unique in its emphasis on two critical components: teaming and leveraging the internal intellectual assets of DOE staff. These two parts of the process require constant collaboration and information dissemination among education personnel. Groupware technology was identified as the mechanism that could efficiently and effectively support statewide collaboration and information dissemination. Hawaii DOE's administrative offices identified Lotus Notes as the de facto standard for communication, collaboration and information dissemination. There are approximately 4,200 users in 231 of our 243 schools and administrative offices with Lotus Notes licenses. The Lotus Total Campus Option Plan was purchased, allowing the Hawaii DOE to install server and client software, on a variety of platforms, anywhere in its public school system. * What Is Groupware? Groupware can be summarized as software that makes the process of people working together more effective. This compares with previous desktop computing innovations -- word processing, spreadsheets and the like -- that made individual users more productive. Organizations have progressed beyond enhancing individual performance and are now applying tools to promote group or team effectiveness. Team structures are present in almost every organization today. However, teams are merely organizational structures to rally people to meet common goals. To improve team performance, a facility is needed to help them effectively interact beyond traditional communication channels. Groupware is the fabric over which people communicate, share and track information, access external resources, and interact with each other electronically, unencumbered by barriers of time and distance. The Lotus Notes groupware package was utilized in Hawaii because it closely fit the team and knowledge-sharing requirements envisioned by our DOE model. It is also identified as the dominant groupware product on the market, has advanced server replication functionality and, most importantly, cross-platform client availability. Server replication is an issue because of the large-scale nature of any technological deployment in Hawaii, with the 240 schools falling under the single SEA/LEA structure. Cross-platform client portability is critical to many K-12 systems because of their mix of Windows and Macintosh workstations. While there are many categories of groupware, an oversimplified list of functions best describes groupware as an integrated messaging, bulletin board, document-management and application-development environment. * Obstacles Faced Prior to Groupware While students throughout Hawaii were being educated and the DOE operated before groupware implementation, it was clear that tasks were not occurring as efficiently as they could have been and processes such as collaboration were not engaged in as often as they should have been. Being an island-state, the obstacles to increased collaboration and information sharing are obvious. Improved efficiency and effectiveness are often not identified as necessary enhancements when an organization has been operating in a static mode for a number of years. On the more technical side, potential obstacles related to system scalability and enhancement could become serious challenges in the future utilization of technology to effectively support instruction if there is a lack of integration between application functionality. …
•
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examine a model of RD between information sharing and research coordination, between each of the latter and cooperation, between substitute and complementary research paths, and between firms located in the same industry or in different industries.
Abstract: We examine a model of RD between information sharing and research coordination; between each of the latter and cooperation; between substitute and complementary research paths; between firms located in the same industry or in different industries. These distinctions matter because, as we show, coordination can arise without cooperation (different industries, complementary research, research design) while cooperation need not induce information sharing (same industry, substitute research, information sharing). In many cases, however, allowing cooperation is sufficient to induce full information sharing/research coordination, in which case the justification, if any, for a technology policy that takes the form of an R&D subsidy lies in encouraging firms to undertake more R&D. Our analysis suggests that cooperative arrangements between firms may often produce too little R&D, and therefore R&D subsidies can be justified – but not to correct information problems, but other market failures in the amount of R&D firms choose to do.
••
09 Sep 1996TL;DR: The thesis of this position paper is: The most useful notion of the terrain is the combination of users and the shared information that they interact with, not the information alone.
Abstract: Consider the information 'terrain' in which we browse and interact over the Internet, principally the World Wide Web but also USENET, email and IRC. This differs in several basic ways from the territory that we are used to: We can be - and often want to be - in several places at once. The information terrain is hard to navigate. It is infinite and heterogeneous. There are only rudimentary maps. It is in a state of flux, and is not sharply distinguished from the artifacts it sustains. Currently we spend most of our time wandering alone where there is much evidence of human activity, but where the natives themselves and their tools are nowhere to be seen. When we do encounter others, we pass low-bandwidth messages back and forth, often knowing little about our interlocutors. The thesis of this position paper is: The most useful notion of the terrain is the combination of users and the shared information that they interact with, not the information alone. Information is where users should be able to encounter other users with similar interests. We need to support collaboration and other forms of social interaction between users, who either meet while browsing information or who are already members of a group. The key to collaborative information sharing and interaction on the Internet is the concept of boundary, which encompasses naming, security and integrity of shared data, and user communication and awareness. The navigation problem will not go away, but boundaries enable us to impose structure on the sprawl. We now present an early snapshot of a design that addresses these points.
•
TL;DR: In this paper, a model of R&D competition and cooperation in the presence of spillovers is examined, and the authors treat these spillovers as endogenous and under the control of firms.
Abstract: We examine a model of R & D competition and cooperation in the presence of spillovers. Unlike virtually all the literature, however, we treat these spillovers as endogenous and under the control of firms. We show that it is then essential to make a number of distinctions that are ignored in the literature. In particular, we need to distinguish between the amount of R & D that firms do and the amount of spillover they generate; between information sharing and research coordination; between each of the latter and cooperation; between substitute and complementary research paths; between firms located in the same industry or in different industries. These distinctions matter because, as we show, coordination can arise without cooperation (different industries, complementary research, research design), while cooperation need not induce information sharing (same industry, substitute research, information sharing). In many cases, however, allowing cooperation is sufficient to induce full information sharing/research coordination, in which case the justification, if any, for a technology policy that takes the form of an R & D subsidy lies in encouraging firms to undertake more R & D. Our analysis suggests that cooperative arrangements between firms may often produce too little R & D, and therefore R & D subsidies can be justified, but not to correct information problems, but other market failures in the amount of R & D firms choose to do.