“…Accordingly, firms can benefit from knowledge spillovers, as advanced research, experience, qualified human resources and innovative ideas come from research centers or universities (Díez-Vial and Fernández-Olmos, 2015). In this vein, Sánchez-Sellero et al (2015) state that if a firm conducts a higher number of activities related to internal organization or external collaboration for innovation, it becomes more productive. R&D cooperation with partners includes equipment and materials suppliers, customers, universities, technology labs, competitors, peer firms, consultants and others (De Marchi, 2012;Arranz et al, 2019).…”