One of the most essential strategic resources of the company is the knowledge that is used and developed within the company, creating innovations, and can be transferred among other companies, organizations, industrial sectors, and countries. The key reason for this spill over is the vulnerability of knowledge transfer channels. Knowledge is quickly transmitted through the media, scientific publications, reverse engineering, R&D cooperation, interaction between staff of various firms, companies, and organizations. In addition, knowledge cannot fully belong to the organization. R&D spillovers have a positive impact on innovation development; promote access to knowledge and its dissemination on a non-profit basis which enhances R&D cooperation between different economic entities, organizations, countries in the field of innovation diffusion. The contribution of R&D spillovers to achieving innovation development, the relationship between knowledge spillovers, innovation and R&D cooperation have been thoroughly examined. Differences between knowledge spillovers, knowledge transfers, and knowledge externalities have been identified. Types of R&D spillovers and levels of knowledge spillovers have been considered. Mechanism and theories of knowledge spillovers and local competition have been analysed. Comparative, systematic and critical analysis of scientific literature has been used in order to create the theoretical background for research of R&D spillovers and their impact on innovation development and economic growth.