This paper employs the analytical framework of organization economics to comprehensively summarize and sort out the research of organization and governance of R & D alliances.It defines R & D alliances from the perspective of key dimensions of organizations,and elaborates the effects of technology,industry and enterprise characteristics on the establishment of R & D alliances.It argues that participants need to select matching formal or informal governance mechanisms for R & D alliances in advance by taking organization forms,the characteristics of partners and inherent attributes of R & D into account.From the perspective of the maximization of social welfare,as for both the formation and governance of R & D alliances,governments should use adequate policy instruments to raise the possibility of successful operation of R & D alliances and their R & D performance.Finally,this paper points out some directions in future research.