IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/worbus/v54y2019i2p137-153.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Alliance capabilities, interpartner attributes, and performance outcomes in international strategic alliances

Author

Listed:
  • Robson, Matthew J.
  • Katsikeas, Constantine S.
  • Schlegelmilch, Bodo B.
  • Pramböck, Barbara

Abstract

This study tests, using a sample of cross-border alliances, how different alliance capability components intersect to develop resource complementarity and trust and how such interpartner attributes themselves intersect to enhance performance. We find that management capability allows firms to build resource complementarity and trust. High formulation capability is required for management capability to positively shape resource complementarity. Search capability is only positively linked to resource complementarity when formulation capability is low. International alliance experience drives resource complementarity. Trust has an inverted U-shaped relationship with performance, and resource complementarity drives trust and performance. Resource complementarity positively moderates the trust–performance link.

Suggested Citation

  • Robson, Matthew J. & Katsikeas, Constantine S. & Schlegelmilch, Bodo B. & Pramböck, Barbara, 2019. "Alliance capabilities, interpartner attributes, and performance outcomes in international strategic alliances," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 54(2), pages 137-153.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:worbus:v:54:y:2019:i:2:p:137-153
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jwb.2018.12.004
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S109095161730425X
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.jwb.2018.12.004?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Kevin Zheng Zhou & Dean Xu, 2012. "How foreign firms curtail local supplier opportunism in China: Detailed contracts, centralized control, and relational governance," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 43(7), pages 677-692, September.
    2. Eric (Er) Fang & Shaoming Zou, 2009. "Antecedents and consequences of marketing dynamic capabilities in international joint ventures," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 40(5), pages 742-761, June.
    3. Nielsen, Bo Bernhard & Raswant, Arpit, 2018. "The selection, use, and reporting of control variables in international business research: A review and recommendations," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 53(6), pages 958-968.
    4. Amol M Joshi & Nandini Lahiri, 2015. "Language friction and partner selection in cross-border R&D alliance formation," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 46(2), pages 123-152, February.
    5. Ambos, Björn & Håkanson, Lars, 2014. "The Concept of Distance in International Management Research," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 20(1), pages 1-7.
    6. Shige Makino & Andrew Delios, 1996. "Local Knowledge Transfer and Performance: Implications for Alliance Formation in Asia," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 27(5), pages 905-927, December.
    7. Preet S Aulakh & Masaaki Kotabe & Arvind Sahay, 1996. "Trust and Performance in Cross-Border Marketing Partnerships: A Behavioral Approach," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 27(4), pages 1005-1032, December.
    8. Julie Juan Li & Laura Poppo & Kevin Zheng Zhou, 2010. "Relational mechanisms, formal contracts, and local knowledge acquisition by international subsidiaries," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(4), pages 349-370, April.
    9. Bruce Kogut & Harbir Singh, 1988. "The Effect of National Culture on the Choice of Entry Mode," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 19(3), pages 411-432, September.
    10. Alexander T Mohr & Jonas Puck, 2013. "Revisiting the Trust-performance Link in Strategic Alliances," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 53(2), pages 269-289, April.
    11. Jean L Johnson & John B Cullen & Tomoaki Sakano & Hideyuki Takenouchi, 1996. "Setting the Stage for Trust and Strategic Integration in Japanese-U.S. Cooperative Alliances," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 27(4), pages 981-1004, December.
    12. Håvard Ness, 2009. "Governance, Negotiations, and Alliance Dynamics: Explaining the Evolution of Relational Practice," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 46(3), pages 451-480, May.
    13. Rachelle C. Sampson, 2005. "Experience effects and collaborative returns in R&D alliances," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 26(11), pages 1009-1031, November.
    14. Garen, John, 1984. "The Returns to Schooling: A Selectivity Bias Approach with a Continuous Choice Variable," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 52(5), pages 1199-1218, September.
    15. Bidault, Francis & de la Torre, José R. & Zanakis, Stelios H. & Ring, Peter Smith, 2018. "Willingness to rely on trust in global business collaborations: Context vs. demography," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 53(3), pages 373-391.
    16. Amrit Tiwana, 2008. "Do bridging ties complement strong ties? An empirical examination of alliance ambidexterity," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(3), pages 251-272, March.
    17. Bill McEvily & Vincenzo Perrone & Akbar Zaheer, 2003. "Trust as an Organizing Principle," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 14(1), pages 91-103, February.
    18. Contractor, Farok J. & Woodley, James A., 2015. "How the alliance pie is split: Value appropriation by each partner in cross-border technology transfer alliances," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 50(3), pages 535-547.
    19. Bharat N. Anand & Tarun Khanna, 2000. "Do firms learn to create value? The case of alliances," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 21(3), pages 295-315, March.
    20. Nielsen, Bo Bernhard, 2003. "An Empirical Investigation of the Drivers of International Strategic Alliance Formation," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 21(3), pages 301-322, June.
    21. Lim, Lewis K.S., 2013. "Mapping competitive prediction capability: Construct conceptualization and performance payoffs," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 66(9), pages 1576-1586.
    22. Francis Bidault & José de La Torre & Stelios Zanakis & Peter Smith Ring, 2018. "Willingness to rely on trust in global business collaborations: Context vs. demography," Post-Print halshs-03578474, HAL.
    23. Dovev Lavie & Stewart R. Miller, 2008. "Alliance Portfolio Internationalization and Firm Performance," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 19(4), pages 623-646, August.
    24. Wong, Alfred & Wei, Lu & Yang, Jie & Tjosvold, Dean, 2017. "Productivity and participation values for cooperative goals to limit free riding and promote performance in international joint ventures," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 52(6), pages 819-830.
    25. MacKenzie, Scott B. & Podsakoff, Philip M., 2012. "Common Method Bias in Marketing: Causes, Mechanisms, and Procedural Remedies," Journal of Retailing, Elsevier, vol. 88(4), pages 542-555.
    26. Preet S Aulakh & Masaaki Kotabe & Arvind Sahay, 1996. "Trust and Performance in Cross-Border Marketing Partnerships: A Behavioral Approach," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 27(5), pages 1005-1032, December.
    27. Dovev Lavie & Pamela R. Haunschild & Poonam Khanna, 2012. "Organizational differences, relational mechanisms, and alliance performance," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(13), pages 1453-1479, December.
    28. Shanthi Gopalakrishnan & Joanne L. Scillitoe & Michael D. Santoro, 2008. "Tapping Deep Pockets: The Role of Resources and Social Capital on Financial Capital Acquisition by Biotechnology Firms in Biotech–Pharma Alliances," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 45(8), pages 1354-1376, December.
    29. Melanie Schreiner & Prashant Kale & Daniel Corsten, 2009. "What really is alliance management capability and how does it impact alliance outcomes and success?," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(13), pages 1395-1419, December.
    30. Jeongho Choi & Farok J Contractor, 2016. "Choosing an appropriate alliance governance mode: The role of institutional, cultural and geographical distance in international research & development (R&D) collaborations," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 47(2), pages 210-232, February.
    31. MB Sarkar & Preet S. Aulakh & Anoop Madhok, 2009. "Process Capabilities and Value Generation in Alliance Portfolios," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 20(3), pages 583-600, June.
    32. Prashant Kale & Harbir Singh, 2007. "Building firm capabilities through learning: the role of the alliance learning process in alliance capability and firm‐level alliance success," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(10), pages 981-1000, October.
    33. Weilei (Stone) Shi & Sunny Li Sun & Brian C Pinkham & Mike W Peng, 2014. "Domestic alliance network to attract foreign partners: Evidence from international joint ventures in China," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 45(3), pages 338-362, April.
    34. Ranjay Gulati & Dovev Lavie & Harbir Singh, 2009. "The nature of partnering experience and the gains from alliances," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(11), pages 1213-1233, November.
    35. Constantine S Katsikeas & Dionysis Skarmeas & Daniel C Bello, 2009. "Developing successful trust-based international exchange relationships," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 40(1), pages 132-155, January.
    36. Jean L Johnson & John B Cullen & Tomoaki Sakano & Hideyuki Takenouchi, 1996. "Setting the Stage for Trust and Strategic Integration in Japanese-U.S. Cooperative Alliances," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 27(5), pages 981-1004, December.
    37. Dionisis Skarmeas & Constantine S Katsikeas & Bodo B Schlegelmilch, 2002. "Drivers of Commitment and its Impact on Performance in Cross-Cultural Buyer-Seller Relationships: The Importer's Perspective," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 33(4), pages 757-783, December.
    38. Jorge Walter & Christoph Lechner & Franz W. Kellermanns, 2008. "Disentangling Alliance Management Processes: Decision Making, Politicality, and Alliance Performance," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 45(3), pages 530-560, May.
    39. Majid Abdi & Preet S Aulakh, 2012. "Do country-level institutional frameworks and interfirm governance arrangements substitute or complement in international business relationships?," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 43(5), pages 477-497, June.
    40. Matthew J. Robson & Constantine S. Katsikeas & Daniel C. Bello, 2008. "Drivers and Performance Outcomes of Trust in International Strategic Alliances: The Role of Organizational Complexity," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 19(4), pages 647-665, August.
    41. Joel A. C. Baum & Bill McEvily & Tim J. Rowley, 2012. "Better with Age? Tie Longevity and the Performance Implications of Bridging and Closure," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 23(2), pages 529-546, April.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Nyamrunda, Frank Charles & Freeman, Susan, 2021. "Strategic agility, dynamic relational capability and trust among SMEs in transitional economies," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 56(3).
    2. Musarra, Giuseppe & Kadile, Vita & Zaefarian, Ghasem & Oghazi, Pejvak & Najafi-Tavani, Zhaleh, 2022. "Emotions, culture intelligence, and mutual trust in technology business relationships," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 181(C).
    3. Francis Donbesuur & Nadia Zahoor & Samuel Adomako, 2021. "Postformation alliance capabilities and environmental innovation: The roles of environmental in‐learning and relation‐specific investments," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(7), pages 3330-3343, November.
    4. Martín Martín, Oscar & Chetty, Sylvie & Bai, Wensong, 2022. "Foreign market entry knowledge and international performance: The mediating role of international market selection and network capability," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 57(2).
    5. Nadia Zahoor & Yong Kyu Lew, 2022. "Sustaining superior international performance: Strategic orientations and dynamic capability of environmentally concerned small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(3), pages 1002-1017, March.
    6. Marius G. Gehrisch & Stefan Süß, 2023. "Organizational behavior in international strategic alliances and the relation to performance – a literature review and avenues for future research," Management Review Quarterly, Springer, vol. 73(3), pages 1045-1107, September.
    7. Han, Xiaomin & Goxe, François & Freeman, Susan, 2024. "Internationalization through social networks: A systematic review and future research agenda," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 33(4).
    8. Saeed Samiee & Constantine S. Katsikeas & G. Tomas M. Hult, 2021. "The overarching role of international marketing: Relevance and centrality in research and practice," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 52(8), pages 1429-1444, October.
    9. Al-Tabbaa, Omar & Zahoor, Nadia, 2024. "Alliance management capability and SMEs’ international expansion: The role of innovation pathways," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 171(C).
    10. Demetris Vrontis & Jaroslav Belas & Alkis Thrassou & Gabriele Santoro & Michael Christofi, 2023. "Strategic agility, openness and performance: a mixed method comparative analysis of firms operating in developed and emerging markets," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 17(4), pages 1365-1398, May.
    11. Xian Liu & Wenyu Wang & Yiyi Su, 2022. "Leveraging Complementary Resources through Relational Capital to Improve Alliance Performance under an Uncertain Environment: A Moderated Mediation Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-16, December.
    12. Mandi E & Qiyuan Zhang & Kevin Zheng Zhou & Chuang Zhang, 2024. "Interfirm trust and subsidiary performance of emerging market multinational enterprises: an examination of contingent factors," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 41(2), pages 583-614, June.
    13. Gaur, Ajai & Malhotra, Shavin & Zhu, PengCheng, 2022. "Institutional distance and ownership in foreign acquisitions," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 28(2).
    14. Singh, Deeksha & Gaur, Ajai S., 2021. "Risk mitigation strategies in international B2B relationships: Role of institutions and governance," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 136(C), pages 1-9.
    15. Nadia Zahoor & Francis Donbesuur & Arinze Christian Nwoba & Huda Khan, 2023. "Regional expansion of emerging market SMEs: the roles of domestic market environmental uncertainty and international alliance partner diversity," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 40(2), pages 613-643, June.
    16. Donbesuur, Francis & Zahoor, Nadia & Boso, Nathaniel, 2022. "International network formation, home market institutional support and post-entry performance of international new ventures," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 31(3).
    17. Esmaelnezhad, Danial & Taghizadeh-Yazdi, Mohammadreza & Amoozad Mahdiraji, Hannan & Vrontis, Demetris, 2023. "International strategic alliances for collaborative product Innovation: An agent-based scenario analysis in biopharmaceutical industry," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 158(C).
    18. Lingling Qin & Sunny Li Sun, 2024. "Knowledge Collaboration in Global Value Chains: A Comparison of Supplier Selection between a Forerunner and a Latecomer," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 41(1), pages 51-79, March.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Mandi E & Qiyuan Zhang & Kevin Zheng Zhou & Chuang Zhang, 2024. "Interfirm trust and subsidiary performance of emerging market multinational enterprises: an examination of contingent factors," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 41(2), pages 583-614, June.
    2. Carole Couper & A. Rebecca Reuber & Shameen Prashantham, 2020. "Lost that lovin’ feeling: The erosion of trust between small, high-distance partners," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 51(3), pages 326-352, April.
    3. Joanita Kataike & Xavier Gellynck, 2018. "22 Years of Governance Structures and Performance: What Has Been Achieved in Agrifood Chains and Beyond? A Review," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 8(4), pages 1-32, March.
    4. Matthew J. Robson & Constantine S. Katsikeas & Daniel C. Bello, 2008. "Drivers and Performance Outcomes of Trust in International Strategic Alliances: The Role of Organizational Complexity," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 19(4), pages 647-665, August.
    5. Tengjian Zou & Gokhan Ertug & Ilya R. P. Cuypers & Donald L. Ferrin, 2023. "Trust across borders: a review of the research on interorganizational trust in international business," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 54(8), pages 1379-1401, October.
    6. Michael Nippa & Jeffrey J Reuer, 2019. "On the future of international joint venture research," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 50(4), pages 555-597, June.
    7. Linda H. Y. Hsieh & Suzana B. Rodrigues, 2014. "Revisiting the Trustworthiness–Performance–Governance Nexus in International Joint Ventures," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 54(5), pages 675-705, October.
    8. Fischer, Denise & Greven, Andrea & Tornow, Mark & Brettel, Malte, 2021. "On the value of effectuation processes for R&D alliances and the moderating role of R&D alliance experience," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 135(C), pages 606-619.
    9. Stienstra, Miranda, 2020. "The determinants and performance implications of alliance partner acquisition," Other publications TiSEM 7fdee0c2-d4d2-4f5b-95e3-2, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.
    10. Najafi-Tavani, Zhaleh & Mousavi, Sahar & Zaefarian, Ghasem & Naudé, Peter, 2020. "Relationship learning and international customer involvement in new product design: The moderating roles of customer dependence and cultural distance," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 120(C), pages 42-58.
    11. Kavusan, K., 2015. "Essays on capability development through alliances," Other publications TiSEM 8eb736a5-b217-4718-ac13-d, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.
    12. Costa e Silva, Susana & Bradley, Frank & Sousa, Carlos M.P., 2012. "Empirical test of the trust–performance link in an international alliances context," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 21(2), pages 293-306.
    13. Michael A Sartor & Paul W Beamish, 2018. "Host market government corruption and the equity-based foreign entry strategies of multinational enterprises," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 49(3), pages 346-370, April.
    14. Müller, Dirk, 2010. "Alliance Coordination, Dysfunctions, and the Protection of Idiosyncratic Knowledge in Strategic Learning Alliances," EconStor Preprints 41039, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics.
    15. Isidor, Rodrigo & Schwens, Christian & Hornung, Frank & Kabst, Ruediger, 2015. "The impact of structural and attitudinal antecedents on the instability of international joint ventures: The mediating role of asymmetrical changes in commitment," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 24(2), pages 298-310.
    16. Zahoor, Nadia & Khan, Zaheer & Shenkar, Oded, 2023. "International vertical alliances within the international business field: A systematic literature review and future research agenda," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 58(1).
    17. Cristina López-Duarte & Marta M. Vidal-Suárez & Belén González-Díaz & Nuno Rosa Reis, 2016. "Understanding the relevance of national culture in international business research: a quantitative analysis," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 108(3), pages 1553-1590, September.
    18. Oliver Schilke & Karen S. Cook, 2015. "Sources of alliance partner trustworthiness: Integrating calculative and relational perspectives," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 36(2), pages 276-297, February.
    19. Khalid, Saba & Ali, Tahir, 2017. "An integrated perspective of social exchange theory and transaction cost approach on the antecedents of trust in international joint ventures," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 26(3), pages 491-501.
    20. Liu, Chia-Ling (Eunice) & Ghauri, Pervez N. & Sinkovics, Rudolf R., 2010. "Understanding the impact of relational capital and organizational learning on alliance outcomes," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 45(3), pages 237-249, July.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:worbus:v:54:y:2019:i:2:p:137-153. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/620401/description#description .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.