This study investigates if and to what extent the performance of public research institutes improves because of a collaboration with other partners, namely universities, industries, the government, and the civil society. Using the quadruple helix approach as a theoretical frame- work, the study investigates the Romanian context as an emerging economy, in the period 2012–2019. The analysis is based on a negative binomial model, and findings have documen- ted that the research performance of public research institute is positively affected by coopera- tion and internationalisation. Furthermore, collaboration with other partners, which belong to a wide social research network, has proved to be effective, stimulating researchers and managers in actively participating in cooperative relations.