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External and internal influences on R&D alliance formation: Evidence from German SMEs

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  • Mukherjee, Debmalya
  • Gaur, Ajai S.
  • Gaur, Sanjaya S.
  • Schmid, Florian

Abstract

Relying on relational capital theory and transaction cost economics (TCE), this study identifies factors that impede or promote alliance formation in small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Environmental uncertainty and knowledge intensity impede firms' R&D alliance formation; the focal firm's overall trust in partners enhances alliance formation. Trust interacts positively with environmental uncertainty and knowledge intensity to affect alliance formation in SMEs. The findings reflect data from a longitudinal sample of 854 German SMEs, captured over eight years from 1999 to 2007.

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  • Mukherjee, Debmalya & Gaur, Ajai S. & Gaur, Sanjaya S. & Schmid, Florian, 2013. "External and internal influences on R&D alliance formation: Evidence from German SMEs," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 66(11), pages 2178-2185.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbrese:v:66:y:2013:i:11:p:2178-2185
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2012.01.009
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