Strategic alliances in emerging Latin America: a view from Brazilian,Chilean, and Mexican companies

Brazil, Chile, and Mexico constitute the leading newly industrialized countries (NICs) of Latin America. It is within these markets that the world expects significant economic gains over the next decade. Local companies in these countries are allying with foreign companies to enhance their competitive positions, yet little is understood about such interfirm collaboration with partners from these Latin American countries. Our study examines the strategic objectives of these Latin American companies, partnership structures, and their satisfaction in collaborating with companies from developed countries. Although existing studies have historically examined the dyad of strategic alliances from a perspective of developed countries (e.g., the U.S.), our study explores the issue from a perspective of companies in emerging Latin American economies.     

An assessment of Colombian managers' perceptions of international strategic alliances

This article reports the results of a survey of Colombian managers concerning their perceptions of strategic alliances with foreign firms. The survey focuses in particular on partner selection and the managerial expectations from such partnerships, as well as the potential difficulties involved in developing interfirm linkages. The survey of Colombian managers shows that international strategic alliances are considered a viable approach to building a competitive advantage, especially in domestic markets, either through acquiring Western technology or marketing know-how. However, the survey results also suggest that a number of obstacles need to be overcome. The important considerations in partner selection, competence building through strategic alliances, and dealing with potential problems in establishing interfirm partnerships are discussed. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

FDI Through Cross-Border Acquisitions and Greenfield Investment in Poland

Abstract

This article looks at differences in the impact on Poland of cross-border acquisitions versus greenfield foreign direct investment activity. It starts with an analysis of the main determinants of foreign direct investment and the employment opportunities that can be created from such activity. The employment contribution of each entry mode is considered, and also the impact of the entry mode on local sourcing practices and the main reason behind the particular investment. The long-term versus the short nature of investment will also be considered. The findings compare the impact of firms at the time of their entry with the more recent situation. Evidence suggests that greenfield sites have much to offer with regards to employment opportunities and value-adding activities, though acquisitions have the benefit of better access to local knowledge.     

One more only if it is one of us. The number of partners and the stock market reaction to domestic and international alliance formation in EU telecom firms

In this paper, we analyze the interaction between two dimensions of strategic alliances whose real impact on the potential value of an alliance has not yet been highlighted: the number of partners and the direct competition among them. Building on the resource-based view, as well as on the relational view of alliances, we argue that increases in the number of partners are positively valued by the stock market when the alliance is formed by competing firms that belong to different countries. Multiparty alliances are thus positively valued when they allow a quick internationalization by affording access to resources owned by competing firms from different countries. An empirical test of stock market reaction to alliances announced by European telecom firms between 1986 and 2001 has confirmed our hypotheses.     

Risk management of strategic alliances and acquisitions between western MNCs and companies in central Europe

This article intends to evaluate risks associated with strategic alliances and acquisitions between Western MNCs and central European companies and to suggest appropriate means of control to deal with two different types of risks: relational and performance. While postsocialistic governments in central Europe have increasingly welcomed foreign direct investments, a relatively high degree of uncertainty still exists for companies contemplating entry into this region due to a lack of cultural knowledge and insufficient business experiences. Based on in‐depth interviews with U.S. and European MNCs, hypotheses are developed in explaining relationship between risks, control, and trust in forming strategic alliances and exercising acquisitions, along with managerial implications. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

基于供应链战略联盟的竞争优势研究

在阐述供应链与供应链战略联盟内涵的基础上,以SWOT战略理论为分析框架来研究供应链战略联盟形成的原因,并从低成本竞争优势与差异化竞争优势两方面对供应链战略联盟所创造的竞争优势进行深入研究。     

Network embeddedness and new-venture internationalization: Analyzing international linkages in the German biotech industry

This paper examines whether inter-organizational factors influence German biotech firms' propensity to internationalize by forming international research alliances. Inter-organizational factors include dimensions of a firm's embeddedness within its local cluster and within its national research network. We test two sets of hypotheses (local and national network-drivers) on a longitudinal event history dataset of the complete German biotech population for the years 1995–2004. Findings show that location in a local cluster already dense with international linkages, the building of research alliances with local research institutes as well as national partners and central position in the national research network increase the probability of forming international research alliances.     

Host–home country linkages and host–home country specific advantages as determinants of foreign acquisitions by Indian firms

This paper examines the complementarity of country-specific linkages with country-specific advantages in explaining the foreign acquisitions by Indian MNEs by testing and extending further the Eclectic Paradigm. The approach to internationalisation dominated by the Eclectic Paradigm has constantly faced challenges in gaining acceptance as a holistic framework in explaining outward foreign direct investment (OFDI). In 2006 Dunning acknowledged that the role of networks and linkages (Dunning, 2006a). In this paper we explore the view that linkages between host and home country should be included in the Eclectic Paradigm as institutional assets. Country-specific linkages add to richness and improve explanatory power of the Eclectic Paradigm. Linkage variables are shown to be an adjunct to the Eclectic Paradigm, not an alternative to it.     

The choice between joint ventures and acquisitions in foreign direct investments: The role of partial acquisitions and accrued experience

In order to avoid the liability of foreignness, firms invest in foreign countries pooling their own resources with those of local firms. This combination of assets may take place through joint ventures or acquisitions. When facing the need to choose between these two entry modes, managers find that there are two critical factors that have received little attention in previous research: the existence of different types of acquisitions—full acquisitions, pure partial acquisitions, and shared partial acquisitions—and the role of the experience accrued by the investing firm in carrying out investments through a particular entry mode. Both factors, as well as their managerial implications, are analyzed in this article. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

中国移动云计算发展探究

随着云计算概念被Google、Amazofl、IBM等公司高调推出,各主要的IT巨头纷纷提出了自己的云计算计划。现在,云计算的火爆也在向电信领域蔓延。国际上,全球电信运营商正在积极寻找云计算带给电信业的机会,部分运营商甚至已经宣布为客户提供基于云计算的服务。在中国,云计算也被电信运营商提上桌面。本文主要针对云计算这一概念,论述云计算对电信运营商的重要性,中国移动向云计算转型的必要性以及中国移动目前的云计算发展现状。     

The effects of strategic hospital alliances on hospital efficiency

This study examines the effects of strategic alliances on the efficiency of hospitals controlled by the Department of Health in Taiwan. Overall, it is found that the efficiency of the hospitals improved after they formed strategic hospital alliances (SHAs). The results also indicate that smaller hospitals located in competitive areas are more efficient, as exemplified by shorter patient stays, higher occupancy rates, and lower mortality rates. Based on Taiwan's experience, it is inferred that SHAs do improve the performance of the participating hospitals. It is hoped that the results of this study will encourage health policy officials and healthcare organizations in other countries to consider implementing similar strategies for their hospitals.     

Complying with environmental regulations in foreign markets

A variety of economic and social factors have created attractive opportunities for U.S.-based businesses to compete in foreign markets. Although foreign environmental regulations are increasingly complex and demanding, there are many resources available to help ensure compliance. Beyond compliance, progressive environmental regulations in foreign countries will create opportunities for American businesses to compete effectively with advanced technology, management competence, and experience in operating in the highly regulated climate in the U.S. Packaging and packaging waste regulation in the European Community exemplifies both the regulatory complexity as well as the competitive opportunities of competing in foreign markets. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

The Use of Strategic Business Alliances by Canadian Companies in Asia Pacific

This paper presents the results of a survey on the use of strategic business alliances by Canadian companies in 12 coun- tries in the Asia Pacific region. Based upon the type of agreements thcy have entered into, Uieir contributions to the alliances and their motives. it is clear that Canadian SBAs in Asia Pacific are market ~ ~ oriented and are produclion-marketing alliances, and not alliances of cornnlementarv industrial ca~abilities. Also. the survev reveals that theyho not agiee entircly wih some of the propositiois on the objectives and benefits of Lhe use of strategic business alliances put forward by business academicians.     

The Impact of Firm Capabilities and Competitive Advantages on Import Intermediary Performance

ABSTRACT

Import intermediary firms, domestic firms that serve U.S. industries by linking domestic wholesalers/retailers and foreign distributors/manufacturers, handled a whopping U.S. $1.85 trillion of commodity good imports in 2006. This study focused on these important firms by assessing the role of capabilities and competitive advantages as key determinants of import intermediary performance. The empirical results showed that market interpretation, sourcing, and service capabilities, overall, positively affected cost, product, and service competitive advantages. These competitive advantages, in turn, positively affected their relationship performance with business partners. Results, however, also indicated some interesting negative associations among sourcing capabilities, service advantages, and relationship performance with foreign partners, raising questions about extant firm performance theory.     

Knowledge transfer in collaborations between foreign and indigenous firms in the Nigerian oil industry: The role of partners' motivational characteristics

Previous empirical studies on determinants of interfirm knowledge transfer have been largely focused on knowledge transfer between symmetrical partners, where there are relatively similar levels of knowledge sophistication and complementary knowledge‐transfer motives. Determinants of knowledge transfer between partners in asymmetric “market‐exploitation” alliances, where there are large differences in capabilities, and in motives, of the collaborating partners, have been understudied. This article presents a qualitative case study‐research of knowledge transfer in such collaborations in the Nigerian oil industry. Four cases of interfirm collaborative arrangements between foreign and local indigenous firms in the industry were studied and analyzed. Based on the results of the case study research, this article highlights the dominant role of partners' motivational characteristics, as against, their cognitive characteristics in the knowledge‐transfer process of asymmetric market‐exploitation alliances. It develops a set of theoretical propositions to expand the understanding of the key determinants of learning and knowledge transfer.     

Horizontal Strategic Alliances and Company Behavior

Abstract

Despite the growing interest over the last ten years in strategic alliances as a source of competitive advantage, such initiatives have often been affected by different sorts of problems during implementation. This paper examines the categories into which such problems can be classified-environmental problems, structural problems, and problems with management attitudes and expectations-and discusses their effect on two cases of horizontal strategic alliances in Brazil.

A pesar del creciente intérs en los últimos diez años con respecto a la utilización de alianzas estratégicas como una fuente para generar ventajas competitivas, estas iniciativas han sido frecuentemente afectadas ppor diferentes tipos de problemas en su fase de implementación. Este artículo examina las categorías en que estos problemas pueden ser clasificados-problemas ambientales, problemas estructurales y problemas inherentes a las actitudes y expectativas de la administración-y discute sus efectos en dos casos de alianzas horizontales en Brasil.

Apesar do crescente interesse a respeito de alianças estratégicas como uma fonte de vantagem competitiva durante os últimos dez anos, essas iniciativas tem sido freqüentemente afetadas por toda a sorte de problemas durante a implementação. Esse trabalho examina as categoriasnas quais esses problemas podem ser classificados-problemas ambientais, problemas estruturais e problemas com as atitudes e as expectativas dos gestores-e discute os seus efeitos sobre dois casos de aliança estratégica horizontal no Brasil.     

Dynamic learning and strategic alliances: A commentary essay

Strategic alliances and the learning benefits they foster in partner firms inspire a rich literature in the organizational sciences. Part of this literature asks whether or not alliances drive dynamic learning opportunities and thus help partner firms create or enhance dynamic competitive capabilities. Chen, Lee, and Lay (2010) show that alliances do foster the development of dynamic competitive capabilities and do this through dynamic learning mechanisms. This commentary essay critiques the merits of the authors' potential contributions to extant theory and managerial practice and offers new questions for further research.     

The supportive expatriate spouse: An ethnographic study of spouse involvement in expatriate careers

Previous research on the influence of accompanying expatriate spouses has emphasized the negative impact on the business expatriates that could contribute to unsuccessful outcomes of the foreign assignments. But spouses’ influences could also be positive. Applying ethnographic field-work methodology, this study investigated female spouses’ involvement in the career of a sample of Danish business expatriates living in the same compound in Saudi Arabia. Results showed that the accompanying partners were active in trying to support and further their expatriate husbands’ immediate careers and repatriation opportunities by using social strategies, such as creating alliances and establishing social networks with influential others through social contacts and dinner parties. The female trailing partners also tried as a group to influence company decisions regarding working schedules, pay, and holidays. These findings are consistent with recent theoretical developments focusing on positive outcomes of the work–family interface and social capital theory and are in line with empirical research on repatriation and post-assignment careers.     

Achieving Competitive Advantage Through the Application of Open Systems Theory and the Development of Strategic Alliances: A Guide for Managers of Nonprofit Organizations

ABSTRACT

To effectively compete in today's competitive business environment, nonprofit organizations need to operate as open systems developing strategic alliances with key actors. To help managers of nonprofit organizations develop such relationships, open systems theory is explained, the phrase “strategic alliances” is defined, and a system of alliances is presented as a tool for identifying and analyzing potential relationships.