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Knowledge Acquisition and Learning in Dutch and Belgian SMEs:: The Role of Strategic Alliances

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  • Gils, Anita Van
  • Zwart, Peter

Abstract

Knowledge-based activities are at the basis of sustainable competitive advantage in today's economy. Resource- and knowledge-based theorists claim that firms should focus on the creation and accumulation of knowledge-based competencies in order to yield long-term survival. For SMEs, this can be a difficult task as their characteristics often hamper the leverage of the required competencies. This paper focuses on the role strategic alliances can fulfil within the knowledge acquisition and learning processes of SMEs. The empirical findings indicate that only a limited number of SMEs is involved in strategic 'knowledge-sharing' alliances. Several entrepreneurs do not cooperate because they fear transferring their know-how and losing their competitive advantage. However, SMEs involvement in strategic alliances resulted in improved firm performance.

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  • Gils, Anita Van & Zwart, Peter, 2004. "Knowledge Acquisition and Learning in Dutch and Belgian SMEs:: The Role of Strategic Alliances," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 22(6), pages 685-692, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:eurman:v:22:y:2004:i:6:p:685-692
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    Cited by:

    1. Balboni, Bernardo & Marchi, Gianluca & Vignola, Marina, 2017. "Knowledge transfer in the context of buyer–supplier relationship: An analysis of a supplier's customer portfolio," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 80(C), pages 277-287.
    2. Simona De Rosa & Filippo Randelli & Luca Salvati, 2016. "Beyond The North-South Divide? The Geography Of Strategic Alliances In Italy," Romanian Journal of Regional Science, Romanian Regional Science Association, vol. 10(2), pages 15-34, December.
    3. Lambrecht, Evelien & Kühne, Bianka & Gellynck, Xavier, 2014. "Innovation through Networking: The Case of the Agricultural Sector," 2014 International European Forum, February 17-21, 2014, Innsbruck-Igls, Austria 199370, International European Forum on System Dynamics and Innovation in Food Networks.
    4. Brache, Jose & Callagher, Lisa & Husted, Kenneth, 2022. "The effects of interfirm cooperation purpose on export performance: Choosing between local and overseas partners," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 148(C), pages 12-22.
    5. Chia Sun, 2014. "A conceptual framework for R&D strategic alliance assessment for Taiwan’s biotechnology industry," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 48(1), pages 259-279, January.
    6. Naradda Gamage, Sisira Kumara & Ekanayake, EMS & Abeyrathne, GAKNJ & Prasanna, RPIR & Jayasundara, JMSB & Rajapakshe, PSK, 2019. "Global Challenges and Survival Strategies of the SMEs in the Era of Economic Globalization: A Systematic Review," MPRA Paper 98419, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    7. Kuhne, Bianka & Lambrecht, Evelien & Vanhonacker, Filiep & Pieniak, Zuzanna & Gellynck, Xavier, 2014. "Factors Underlying Farmers’ Decisions to Participate in Networks," International Journal on Food System Dynamics, International Center for Management, Communication, and Research, vol. 4(3), pages 1-16, February.
    8. Ye Seul Choi & Up Lim, 2017. "Contextual Factors Affecting the Innovation Performance of Manufacturing SMEs in Korea: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(7), pages 1-15, July.
    9. Caloffi, Annalisa & Mariani, Marco & Rossi, Federica & Russo, Margherita, 2018. "A comparative evaluation of regional subsidies for collaborative and individual R&D in small and medium-sized enterprises," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 47(8), pages 1437-1447.
    10. Lin, Feng-Jyh & Lin, Yi-Hsin, 2016. "The effect of network relationship on the performance of SMEs," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 69(5), pages 1780-1784.
    11. Xiaoyu Yu & Yi. Chen & Bang Nguyen, 2014. "Knowledge Management, Learning Behavior from Failure and New Product Development in New Technology Ventures," Systems Research and Behavioral Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(3), pages 405-423, May.
    12. Evelien Lambrecht & Nicole Taragola & Bianka Kühne & Maarten Crivits & Xavier Gellynck, 2015. "Networking and innovation within the ornamental plant sector," Agricultural and Food Economics, Springer;Italian Society of Agricultural Economics (SIDEA), vol. 3(1), pages 1-20, December.
    13. Sambasivan, Murali & Siew-Phaik, Loke & Abidin Mohamed, Zainal & Choy Leong, Yee, 2013. "Factors influencing strategic alliance outcomes in a manufacturing supply chain: Role of alliance motives, interdependence, asset specificity and relational capital," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 141(1), pages 339-351.
    14. Yue Li & Liwen Xia & Li Wang & Mengyuan Qiu & Sulistyo Utomo, 2024. "How Are Rural Homestays Achieving Sustainable Development in the Post-COVID-19 Period: Value Co-Creation by Operators, Tourists, and Government," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-16, January.

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