Alliance stability, knowledge protection of partner firms, and knowledge acquisition of focal firms

Yang Yan, Gao Shanxing

Science Research Management ›› 2012 ›› Issue (8) : 80-89.

PDF(933 KB)
PDF(933 KB)
Science Research Management ›› 2012 ›› Issue (8) : 80-89.

Alliance stability, knowledge protection of partner firms, and knowledge acquisition of focal firms

  • Yang Yan, Gao Shanxing
Author information +
History +

Abstract

How alliance interdependency and alliance conflict, as two dimensions of alliance stability, affect knowledge protection behavior of partner firms is focused, and a conceptual framework involving alliance stability, knowledge protection of partner firms, and knowledge acquisition of focal firms is built. Six hypotheses are proposed and tested based on the survey data of 270 Chinese firms. The empirical results show that both alliance interdependency and alliance conflict reinforce the knowledge protection of partner firms, and there is a U-shaped relationship between knowledge protection of partner firms and knowledge acquisition of focal firms. It is also found that alliance interdependency facilitates the knowledge acquisition of focal firms, and positively moderates the U-shaped relationship between knowledge protection of partner firms and knowledge acquisition of focal firms, whereas, alliance conflicts have a negative effect on the knowledge acquisition of focal firms.

Key words

alliance interdependency / alliance conflict / knowledge protection / knowledge acquisition

Cite this article

Download Citations
Yang Yan, Gao Shanxing. Alliance stability, knowledge protection of partner firms, and knowledge acquisition of focal firms[J]. Science Research Management. 2012(8): 80-89

References

[1] Ahuja G. 1996. Collaboration and innovation: A longitudinal study of inter-firm linkages and firm patenting in the global advanced materials industry, Ph.D. dissertation, University of Michigan.
[2] Bleeke J & Ernst D. The way to win in cross-border alliances[J]. Harvard Business Review, 1991, 69(6): 127-135.
[3] Inkpen A C & Beamish P W. Knowledge, bargaining power and the instability of international joint ventures [J]. Academy of Management Review, 1997, 22(1): 177-202.
[4] Das T K & Teng B S. Instabilities of strategic alliances: An internal tensions perspective [J].Organization Science, 2000, 11(1): 77-101.
[5] Das T K & Teng B S. The dynamics of alliance conditions in the alliance development process[J]. Journal of Management Studies, 2002, 39(5): 725-746.
[6] Doz Y. The evolution of cooperation in strategic alliances: Initial conditions or learning processes? [J]. Strategic Management Journal, 1996, 17: 55-83.
[7] Oliver C. Determinants of interorganizational relationships: Integration and future directions [J]. Academy of Management Review, 1990, 15: 241-265.
[8] Das T K & Kumar R. Interpartner harmony in strategic alliances: Managing commitment and forbearance[J]. International Journal of Strategic Business Alliances, 2009, 1(1): 24-52.
[9] Ahuja G & Katila R. Technological acquisitions and the innovations performance of acquiring firms: A longitudinal study[J]. Strategic Management Journal, 2001, 22(3): 197-220.
[10] Puranam P, Singh H & Zollo M. A bird in the hand or two in the bush? Integration tradeoffs in technology-grafting acquisitions[J]. European Management Journal, 2003, 21(2): 179-184.
[11] Boisot M, Grif?ths D & Moles V. The dilemma of competence: Differentiation versus integration in the pursuit of learning, In Strategic Learning and Knowledge Management, Sanchez R, Heene A (eds). John Wiley: Chichester, 1997.
[12] Norman P M. Knowledge acquisition, knowledge loss, and satisfaction in high technology alliances[J]. Journal of Business Research, 2004, 57: 610-619.
[13] Baughn C C, Denekamp J G, Stevens J H & Osborn R N. Protecting intellectual capital in international alliances[J]. Journal of World Business, 1997, 32(2): 103-117.
[14] McEvily S K, Eisenhardt K M & Prescott J E. The global acquisition, leverage, and protection of technological competencies[J]. Strategic Management Journal, 2004, 25(8 9): 713-722.
[15] Das T K & Teng B S. Resource and risk management in strategic alliance making process[J]. Journal of Management, 1998, 24(1): 21-42.
[16] Norman P M. Are your secrets safe? Knowledge protection in strategic alliances[J]. Business Horizons, 2001, 44(6): 51-60.
[17] Norman P M. Protecting knowledge in strategic alliances: Resources and relational characteristics [J]. Journal of High Technology Management Research, 2002, 13: 177-202.
[18] Kale P, Singh H & Perlmutter H. Learning and protection of proprietary assets in strategic alliances: Building relational capital[J]. Strategic Management Journal, 2000, 21(3): 217-237.
[19] Hitt M A, Dacin M T, & Levitas E. Partner selection in emerging and developed market contexts: Resource-based and organizational learning perspectives[J]. Academy of Management Journal, 2000, 43(3): 449-467.
[20] Shah R H & Swaminathan V. Factors influencing partner selection in strategic alliances: The moderating role of alliance context[J]. Strategic Management Journal, 2008, 29(5):471-494.
[21] Oxley J E & Sampson R C. The scope and governance of international R&D alliances[J]. Strategic Management Journal, 2004, 25:723-749.
[22] Das T K & Teng B S. Trust, control, and risk in strategic alliances: An integrated framework[J]. Organization Studies, 2001, 22(2): 251-283.
[23] Luo Y D. Procedural fairness and interfirm cooperation in strategic alliances[J]. Strategic Management Journal, 2008, 29:27-46.
[24] 吴海滨, 李垣, 谢恩. 战略联盟不稳定性的研究现状与展望[J]. 科研管理, 2004, 25(5): 46-51.
[25] 邢子政, 黄瑞华, 汪忠. 联盟合作中的知识流失风险与知识保护:信任的调节作用研究[J]. 南开管理评论, 2008, 11(5): 27-30.
[26] 沈灏, 李垣. 联盟关系、环境动态性对创新绩效的影响研究[J]. 科研管理, 2010, 31(1): 77-85.
[27] 陈效林, 施建军, 张文红. 国际联盟中知识获取:知识保护、吸收能力与议价权力[J].科学学与科学技术管理, 2010(6): 100-108.
[28] Inkpen A C & Li K. Joint venture formation: Planning and knowledge-gathering for success [J]. Organizational Dynamics, 1999, 27(4): 33-47.
[29] Lin X & Germain R. Predicting international joint venture interaction frequency in US Chinese ventures[J]. Journal of International Marketing, 1999, 7(2): 5-23.
[30] Lyles M A & Salk J E. Knowledge acquisition from foreign parents in international joint ventures: An empirical examination in the Hungarian context[J]. Journal of International Business Studies, 1996, 27(5): 877-903.
[31] Simonin B L. The importance of collaborative know-how: An empirical test of the learning organization[J]. Academy of Management Journal, 1997, 40(5): 1150-1174.
[32] Sampson R C. Experience effects and collaborative returns in R&D alliances[J]. Strategic Management Journal, 2005, 26(11): 1009-1031.
[33] Hamel G. Competition for competence and interpartner learning within international strategic alliances[J]. Strategic Management Journal, 1991, 12 (S1): 83-103.
[34] Yan A & Grey B. Bargaining power, management control, and performance in United States-China joint ventures: A comparative case study[J]. Academy of Management Journal, 1994, 37: 1478-1517.
[35] Hallen L, Johanson J & Seyed-Mohamed N. Interfirm adaptations in business relationships [J]. Journal of Marketinig, 1991, 55(2): 29-37.
[36] Currall S C & Judge T A. Measuring trust between organizational boundary role persons[J]. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 1995, 64: 151 170.
[37] Kogut B & Zander U. Knowledge of the firm, combinative capabilities, and the replication of technology[J]. Organization Science, 1992, 3(3): 383-397.
[38] Ko D G, Kirsch L J & King W R. Antecedents for knowledge transfer from consultants to clients in enterprise system implementations[J]. MIS Quarterly, 2005, 29: 59-85.
[39] Simonin B L. Transfer of marketing know-how in international strategic alliances: An empirical investigation of the role and antecedents of knowledge ambiguity[J]. Journal of International Business Studies, 1999, 30(3): 463-490.
[40] Lane P J & Lubatkin M. Relative absorptive capacity and interorganizational learning[J]. Strategic Management Journal, 1998, 19(5): 461-477.
[41] Simonin B L. An empirical investigation of the process of knowledge transfer in international strategic alliances[J]. Journal of International Business Studies, 2004, 35(5): 407-427.
[42] Pisano G. Innovation through market hierarchies and joint ventures: Technology, strategy and collaborative arrangements in the biotechnology industry,University of California, Berkeley: 1988.
PDF(933 KB)

Accesses

Citation

Detail

Sections
Recommended

/