A study of alliance formation and alliance mode choice for non-equity strategic alliances in the high technology sector.

Abstract

The objective of this research was to broadly study the topic of non-equity strategic alliances in the high technology sector. The a priori assumptions were that non-equity alliances were different, and that treatment of non-equity alliances in high technology firms was different from other industries. The objectives of the study were to understand: (a) why are non-equity alliances chosen in the high technology sector; (b) what roles do strategy and core competencies play in the choice of non-equity alliances; and (c) what role do technology and market factors play in high technology alliances? This study investigated twelve alliance formation decisions among three firms in the Ottawa-Carleton Region, in Ontario, Canada. The firms in the sample ranged in size from $150 million in annual revenues, to more than \$10 billion. The partner organizations reflected an international scope with headquarters in Japan, Europe and North America. The sample covered non-equity strategic alliances formed from 1990 to 1996. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)