The Consortium Cooperation Versus Competition

This study analyzes the trend toward increasing numbers and types of industrial cooperative ventures -- consortia. The patterns of industrial cooperation are identified and case studies of five RD consortia are presented. Governments role in encouraging and supporting consortia is discussed in the context of domestic competition and the international competitiveness of American firms. We conclude that the antitrust laws should be revised with caveats to permit joint production and that Government financial assistance to consortia should be generally limited to broad measures such as tax incentives rather than industry-specific or company-specific grants.