The stability of strategic alliances: Characteristics, factors and stages

This paper presents a theoretical framework for understanding the evolutionary dynamics of strategic alliances. Using an integrated process model, we analyze the conceptual characteristics and antecedents of the stability of strategic alliances. The primary purpose of this study is to (1) conceptualize and characterize alliance stability to fill the academic gap in the literature, and (2) identify a range of endogenous factors underlying alliance stability across four developmental stages — partner selection, structuring/negotiation, implementation and performance evaluation — so as to fill the managerial relevance gap. From the discussion, we develop a number of propositions to facilitate future empirical testing of our conceptual model. Finally, we indicate some key implications for theoretical research and managerial practice.     

Strategic technology alliance termination: An empirical investigation

There is growing consensus that overall alliance termination rates are high. However, despite this track record of termination and despite unsurpassed growth rates of strategic technology alliances, little is known about the reasons for their termination. Typically strategic alliances have been characterized as inherently instable, i.e. often involving unplanned and premature termination of the alliance by partnering firms indicating alliance failure. The literature on strategic technology alliances, however, proposes that alliance termination does not always indicate failure, but can be intended and can be a sign of strength. We examine these different perceptions by using a sample of 48 strategic technology alliances in different high-technology industries. The findings in the paper confirm that the rates of termination are rather high for strategic technology alliances. Overall, we found that in particular negative prospects about future cooperation, negative perceptions about joint benefits and the lack of a win-win situation had an impact on the decision to terminate a strategic technology alliance. Also, the fact that some companies opt only for short-term (not for long-term and renewed) cooperation seems to introduce a negative factor into the longevity of strategic technology alliances.     

Equity versus non-equity international strategic alliances involving Danish firms: An empirical investigation of the relative importance of partner and host country determinants

A substantial literature has evolved focusing on the ownership structure of international strategic alliances (ISAs). Most of the relevant studies are theoretical in nature and concentrate on the conceptual factors that influence the choice between equity and non-equity structures. A smaller number of studies provide some empirical evidence on the importance of some of the conceptual factors. The theoretical literature highlights the potential influence of relational capital and transaction costs as determinants of ISA structure; however, there is little empirical evidence on the relative importance of these potential determinants. Moreover, there is only limited and indirect evidence bearing upon the impact of host country governance attributes on ISA ownership structure. In this study, we provide statistical evidence on the importance of potential determinants of governance mode choice for a sample of ISAs involving Danish firms. Our study documents how the determinants of governance mode choice vary in importance depending upon the “quality” of the governance infrastructure of the host country.     

Neither complements nor substitutes: Examining the case for coalignment of contract-based and relation-based alliance governance mechanisms in coopetition contexts

Although the extant literature recognizes that the contract-based and relation-based alliance governance mechanisms (AGMs) play a significant role in the success of alliances, the nature of their interplay still remains ambiguous. In this study, we move away from the traditional debate between contract- and relation-based AGMs as substitutes versus complements. Instead, we offer the notion of “fit” or the “coalignment” as a more appropriate frame to explain the interplay between contract- and relation-based AGMs in the coopetition context. We conceptualize ‘Coalignment of Alliance Governance Mechanisms’ (CAGM) as a distinct higher-order construct and outline a methodological orientation to estimate the coalignment of the two forms of AGMs. We conduct a longitudinal study using primary data from 320 matched coopetition alliances in high-technology research-intensive sectors in India and find that the CAGM explains better the impact of governance mechanisms on value creation in coopetition alliances.     

战略联盟模式选择的分析框架：资源、风险与结构模式间关系的概念模型

本文从公司在战略联盟中投入的不同种类资源的风险评价角度,综合考虑资源、风险及战略联盟的结构模式选择间的关系,形成了战略联盟结构模式选择的新的分析框架,提出了揭示三者间关系的概念模型及理论假说。本文认为,公司对战略联盟结构模式选择的偏好会受到管理者对未来公司在战略联盟中的各类风险的主观评价的影响,而公司对战略联盟投入的各类资源及其重要性是影响管理者对风险主观评价的重要因素。因此,应综合考虑战略联盟中所投入的不同种类资源及其所引发的风险大小以选择战略联盟的结构模式。     

Designing interorganizational networks for innovation: An empirical examination of network configuration, formation and governance

Strategic SME networks have received significant policy attention, yet a review of the current literature reveals limited attention to the factors that contribute to network innovation. This study examines the influence of the number of member firms (network size), the extent to which a network is based on firm incentives (bottom-up formation), and the extent of development of the governance structure (size of administrative function) on a network's innovative performance. Latent growth modeling with longitudinal data from 53 networks reveals that larger networks and bottom-up formed networks achieve greater innovative performance, and that the administrative function partially mediates these effects.     

信任、关系、控制与研发联盟绩效——基于中国制药产业的研究

本文以我国制药产业研究开发联盟为研究对象,研究了关系治理(包括信息共享、持续性预期、关系深化)、过程控制、信任对联盟绩效的影响。研究发现,持续性预期、信息共享有助于增进信任,进而提高联盟绩效;技术的不确定性越高,信任对联盟绩效的促进作用越显著;但过程控制则会降低信任与联盟绩效的正相关。     

多代理人网络中信任与可信度的实验研究

在经典的1位委托人对1位代理人的信任博弈实验的基础上设计了一位委托人对两位代理人的信任博弈实验,以观察存在多位代理人时委托人和代理人之间的信任水平和可信度.通过与经典单代理人信任博弈实验对比,发现多代理人信任实验中的委托人在面对2位陌生代理人的时候表现出更高的信任水平,并且委托人倾向于在2位代理人之间平均分配投资总额.回归分析结果表明委托代理关系网络结构的确对委托人的信任水平有显著影响,另外,委托人的风险偏好和成长环境等因素也对其信任水平产生显著影响.总之,尽管不同网络结构中代理人的可信度之间并没有明显差异,社会整体的效率在多代理人情境下得到显著提升.     

Sustaining growth in the modern enterprise: A case study

This paper describes a model developed to demonstrate the constancy of and virtual need for change in a sustaining organization. Several executives from different organizations were interviewed in order to capture the dynamics structure. Essential variables were listed and causal modeling was used to obtain important relationships. Equations of interrelationships among the variables were developed. Validation of the model was performed at two levels: (1) validation of the structure as suggested by the causal modeling process using a new methodology and (2) validation of the emergent behavior by using case studies of industries which have different time rates of evolution.     

Learning,signaling, and convincing: The role of experimentation in the business modeling process

This study examines experimentation in the business modeling process, unpacking three different roles of experimentation: learning, signaling, and convincing. Learning is an inherent role of experimentation, as managers typically experiment to engage with the environment and to obtain knowledge. This study uncovers another set of roles, which have a symbolic nature. These roles show that experimentation is not just a learning process, but also a strategic legitimation process, aimed at enacting the environment. Experimentation serves the purpose of signaling to potential customers and other stakeholders, and of convincing them to embrace the business model. Furthermore, this study shows that experimentation takes two forms—purposeful interactions and experimental projects—and that these forms can support the different roles of experimentation.     

PPP项目中信任对商业模式创新行为影响的实验研究:社会资本创新能力的调节作用

本文通过文献分析构建了以社会资本感知的信任为自变量、商业模式创新行为为因变量、社会资本创新能力为调节变量的理论模型。采用问卷调查的方式开展情境模拟实验,并采集到119份有效的实验数据。运用方差分析处理实验数据,对提出的理论模型进行实证检验。研究结果显示:(1)信任的三个维度(制度信任、认知信任、情感信任)对商业模式创新行为的产生和执行均具有显著正向影响;(2)制度信任对商业模式创新行为产生、执行的影响不受社会资本创新能力的调节,而情感信任对商业模式创新行为产生、执行的影响均受到其调节;(3)认知信任对商业模式创新行为产生的影响受到社会资本创新能力的调节,而认知信任对商业模式创新行为执行的影响不受其调节。在此基础上,本文为政府及相关部门激励社会资本进行商业模式创新提出策略建议。     

Reflections on the roles of governance and leadership in profit-for-purpose companies: A European–United States comparative perspective

The profit-for-purpose movement has gained traction worldwide, with companies designating the second mission dedicated to a social purpose legislatively or by becoming a certified B Corp. This study reflects on the governance structure and associated accountability enacted by legislation in three countries where national legislation exists – the United States, Italy, and France. It also discusses accountability stemming from the B Corp certification. Given the limitations in accountability deriving from a governance structure or the B Lab certification, the paper reflects on the importance of leadership for the successful management of profit-for-purpose ventures and provides exemplars. We conclude by reflecting on the future of profit-for-purpose companies considering the recent environmental, social, and governance (ESG) movement and directions for future research examining key issues for dual-purpose companies.     

Aligning operations,marketing, and competitive strategies to enhance performance: An empirical test in the retail banking industry

The close linkage between competitive strategy and functional strategic activities is asserted to be a precondition to the achievement of optimal business performance. This study explores how the relationship between (and among) operations, marketing, and competitive strategies affects organizational performance in the banking industry. Our findings show that: (a) competitive strategy moderates the relationship between operations and marketing strategic activities, and organizational performance, (b) certain integrated strategic decisions of operations and marketing functions have a significant impact on organizational performance, and (c) the performance of retail banks within a strategic group differs depending on the quality of the strategic fit.     

Communities, alliances, networks and knowledge in multinational firms: A micro-analytic framework

We develop a model of the micro-process of knowledge acquisition, dissemination, and application in the networks of alliances that have become important sources of external knowledge for multinational firms. Based on the concept of communities of practice as sources of highly tacit know-how, this model addresses the use of alliances with local partners to acquire tacit knowledge on a sub-unit level and to then share this knowledge throughout the firm via an internal network of community-level alliances. We suggest that the supposed advantage of multinational firms in accessing and reconstituting knowledge from widely spread sources is composed of multiple micro-processes at sub-unit levels, and therefore much more complex than usually presented.     

Gender Differences in Competition: Evidence From a Matrilineal and a Patriarchal Society

We use a controlled experiment to explore whether there are gender differences in selecting into competitive environments across two distinct societies: the Maasai in Tanzania and the Khasi in India. One unique aspect of these societies is that the Maasai represent a textbook example of a patriarchal society, whereas the Khasi are matrilineal. Similar to the extant evidence drawn from experiments executed in Western cultures, Maasai men opt to compete at roughly twice the rate as Maasai women. Interestingly, this result is reversed among the Khasi, where women choose the competitive environment more often than Khasi men, and even choose to compete weakly more often than Maasai men. These results provide insights into the underpinnings of the factors hypothesized to be determinants of the observed gender differences in selecting into competitive environments.     

Formal governance,interfirm coordination,and performance in partnerships: An empirical investigation of a mediation model

This study investigates the extent to which formal governance mechanisms such as contracts and equity ownership affect interfirm coordination and partnership performance. We analysed data from a survey of 301 Korean firms to show that interfirm coordination partially mediates the relationship between contract completeness, defined as the extent to which a contract specifies task operations and contingencies, and partnership performance. Furthermore, we find that more complete contracts can attenuate the negative effects of equity ownership on coordination, and that this effect is particularly strong when partner tasks are interdependent and relational norms are weak.     

好友推介激励机制中在线消费者依附模式研究

社会化网络的发展增加了人们在互联网上的好友资源,好友推介激励机制也具有了更多的推介对象.基于依附理论,将网络消费者进行分类,运用实验研究的方法探讨了好友推介激励机制情景下依附模式对推介双方行为模式,以及奖金分配方式公平性的影响.实验结果表明,依附回避,负向影响邀请者的出价和被邀请者的采纳;依附焦虑,正向影响邀请者的出价和被邀请者的采纳.为了达成成功的好友推介,商家应该依据消费者的依附模式设计好友推介激励机制.     

Scrutinising the interplay between governance and resilience in supply chain management: A systems thinking framework

Supply chain disruptions recurrently challenge end-to-end operations owing to the ambiguous understanding of the role of governance in impacting supply network resilience. This paper scrutinises the relevant literature to understand the plethora of interpretations in supply chain governance and resilience while further providing a new perspective on the representation of the interplay between governance and resilience in supply chains. In this regard, the Systems Thinking lens is adopted to pull together the typologies and constructs of supply chain governance and resilience from the literature. Methodologically, System Dynamics modelling principles are leveraged to capture the underpinning structural interdependencies in a causal loop diagram. The study reveals that endogenous and exogenous supply chain governance processes and mechanisms support the intrinsic and extrinsic resilience in networks. Overall, this research contributes to the supply chain risk management domain by synthesising the interplay between governance and resilience, identifying pertinent typologies, and articulating research propositions that can inform decision-making at policy and management levels.     

Uncertainty in interorganizational collaboration and the dynamics of trust: A qualitative study

The field study presented in the article illustrates how trust is operationalized in business practices. It shows that deciding to engage and remain in collaborative relations characterized by high uncertainty is influenced by reciprocal interactions among (i) transactional and relational attributes, (ii) organizational and environmental characteristics, (iii) governance structures and processes, and (iv) acts of suspension. Our framework demonstrates that exchange partners sometimes need to suspend (i.e., accept and embrace) risks in a non-calculative manner. Thus, building on a qualitative study of collaborative software development projects, this paper calls for the dynamic treatment of governance mechanisms in interorganizational relationships.