The effect of group composition and autonomy on the performance of joint ventures (JVs): an analysis based on Spanish export JVs

This paper analyses the effects of group composition and autonomy on the performance of export joint ventures (JVs). The basic argument is that group composition has a significant influence on the performance of JVs and, at the same time, this effect is moderated by the degree of autonomy held by the JV general manager. To lend support to this argument, we take insights from two complementary theoretical approaches: the resource-based view of the firm and the transaction cost theory. The hypotheses set forth are tested on the basis of a sample of 83 Spanish export JVs. The paper contributes to the literature providing evidence on the influence that export JV composition has on performance. It also suggests that autonomy does not directly affect export JV success, but it does, however, have an indirect effect by moderating the relationship between group composition and performance.