Coordinating the processes of collaboration in research and development projects

The chapter focuses on the advantages collaboration between academic researchers and business, government and community partners can provide. The theory draws on reciprocity as an essential element for approval, respect, recognition and support in collaborative research and development projects. A process-based model for coordinating the processes of identifying, assessing and recruiting partners for collaborative projects is outlined. The model includes three main processes: screening; framing; and aligning. The efficacy and value of the model are considered via analysis of collaborative processes within a project in the water sector. It is found that there is value in combining top-down strategy initially and bottom-up strategy subsequently and that successful outcomes are likely to occur when reciprocity and balance of the interested different partners are considered.