Business Dynamics
Knowledge resource exchange in strategic alliances
IBM Systems Journal
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The objective of this paper is to develop a dynamic theory of interorganizational learning and knowledge acquisition in strategic alliances. Strategic alliances are becoming an increasingly important organizational form to gain access to new knowledge and to leverage existing knowledge. By establishing an alliance with one or more partners, an organization will gain valuable learning opportunities to acquire knowledge and to enhance its competitiveness. The degree to which the partners can realize their learning objectives is dependent on their absorptive capacities and the collaborative strategies adopted by the partners. These collaborative strategies may include the trust between alliance partners as well as the willingness to share existing knowledge. In order to gain insights into the dynamics of interorganizational learning and knowledge acquisition, the authors propose a simulation model to test different conditions influencing the outcome of an alliance. The results can improve our understanding of the key factors that influence the acquisition of knowledge in strategic alliances. The paper concludes with a discussion of guidelines to assess and manage the outcome of strategic alliances.