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The establishment of mergers and acquisitions and cooperative agreements within the European Union increased during the last century. Nevertheless, the new century seems to show a change in the trends. Therefore, the objective of this work is to analyse the characteristics and evolution of these growth operations in recent years (2000-2007). The different data presented in the paper have shown a growing economic integration process through cooperative strategies such as mergers, acquisitions and alliances. Spanish firms have actively taken part in this process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we analyse the impact of the Fifth EU R&D Framework Programme (1998-2002) in the Spanish regions, considering the characteristics of the respective regional systems of innovation. The starting theoretical framework is the interactive pattern of technological change where the interaction among the different phases of innovation processes and between actors involved is emphasized. The important role that firms play in this process is also underlined. This model links with the concept of regional innovation systems. The contextual character of technological innovation is furthermore highlighted as well as its importance for the effectiveness of technology policies that should respond to the necessities defined by the innovation system to which it is directed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]