Cooperative approaches have been replacing antagonistic ones along the value chain. Collaborative product development has been one of the major challenges in cooperative strategies, namely in the supplier-producer relationship, due to product complexity and evolving strategic interests of both intervening firms.The nature of collaborations varies according to industry, to types of partners and to type of product innovation. Some models have been developed in order to explain the progressive integration of the suppliers into the producer's business. Nevertheless, the purpose of this paper is to approach the different innovation theories and to use the concept of co-specialization in order to show that there are some disadvantageous situations for suppliers not covered by general models.Methodologically a theoretical approach was followed in order to explain the concepts as well as the conclusions. In the end of the paper, some recommendations are put forward in order to deepen the collaborative relationships especially the situations in which the type of product transactioned and the co-specialization differ.
Innovation strategies; technological strategies; collaborative new product development
