Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Christopher R. Penney Author-X-Name-First: Christopher R. Author-X-Name-Last: Penney Title: The evolution of alliance portfolio orientation: a niche theory perspective Abstract: Managers often use their alliance portfolios to learn. Learning generally involves balancing exploration and exploitation. However, within the alliance portfolio context, literature suggests that balancing exploration and exploitation alliances is problematic, and a focus in either exploration or exploitation alliances is more beneficial for learning. However, it is not clear which conditions favour one approach over the other, and how these conditions may change over time. Drawing from niche theory, I offer an evolutionary approach which suggests that, with respect to a focus on exploration or exploitation alliances, the correct choice depends on the environment. I propose two types of alliance portfolio orientations - generalist, where the firm develops general-alliance capabilities and engages in exploration and specialist, where the firm develops domain-specific capabilities and engages in exploitation. I compare the two orientations' strategic implications and theorise how and why an alliance portfolio orientation evolves over time. Journal: Int. J. of Strategic Business Alliances Pages: 111-129 Issue: 3 Volume: 6 Year: 2018 Keywords: alliance portfolios; ambidexterity; alliance portfolio configuration. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=94470 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijhrcs:v:6:y:2018:i:3:p:111-129 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Meeta Dasgupta Author-X-Name-First: Meeta Author-X-Name-Last: Dasgupta Title: Driving innovation through strategic alliances: a framework Abstract: With increasing competition and business uncertainties, firms have realised the importance of innovation to improve their competitive strength. Companies have also started realising that they need to make a shift from acquiring resources to enjoying the benefits of combining their own resources with the assets of others. While the importance of innovation to spur economic revival across the globe cannot be debated, how strategic alliances can aid the innovation journey of organisations is a question. The paper reviews and applies the proposed conceptual framework, highlighting the factors that influence innovation in strategic alliances, to cases of strategic alliances between companies. Journal: Int. J. of Strategic Business Alliances Pages: 130-147 Issue: 3 Volume: 6 Year: 2018 Keywords: strategic alliances; innovation; knowledge flows; partner attributes; external environment; governance structure; nature of alliance. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=94472 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijhrcs:v:6:y:2018:i:3:p:130-147 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Damiano Lepori Author-X-Name-First: Damiano Author-X-Name-Last: Lepori Author-Name: Philippe Gugler Author-X-Name-First: Philippe Author-X-Name-Last: Gugler Title: Comparative advantages and cross-border mergers and acquisitions: the case of Chinese M%As in European countries Abstract: The purpose of this study is to scrutinise the links between Chinese cross-border mergers and acquisitions (M%As) and of the export competitiveness of Chinese and of targeted countries' industries in which investors are competing. We base our study on the revealed comparative advantages (RCA) of both Chinese exports and recipient countries' exports. We develop hypotheses about the level of RCA of China in industries in which the corresponding M%As occur and the level of RCA of the recipient countries. We test our hypotheses on a sample composed of Chinese M%As realised in the eight main recipient countries registered from 2006-2016 in Europe. With respect to low-cost products, Chinese acquiring firms compete in industries with a high domestic RCA, whereas European target firms compete in industries with a high domestic RCA. With respect to more sophisticated products, Chinese acquiring firms compete in industries with a low domestic RCA and European target firms compete in industries with a high domestic RCA. Our study suggests the predominance of market-seeking investments in the first case and strategic asset-seeking investments in the second case. Journal: Int. J. of Strategic Business Alliances Pages: 148-165 Issue: 3 Volume: 6 Year: 2018 Keywords: revealed comparative advantages; RCA; cross-border mergers and acquisitions; cross-border M%As; Chinese mergers and acquisitions; Chinese M%As; mergers and acquisitions in European countries; M%As in European countries; market-seeking investments; strategic asset-seeking investments. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=94474 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijhrcs:v:6:y:2018:i:3:p:148-165 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Jashim Uddin Ahmed Author-X-Name-First: Jashim Uddin Author-X-Name-Last: Ahmed Author-Name: Hafiza Sultana Author-X-Name-First: Hafiza Author-X-Name-Last: Sultana Author-Name: Nusrat Jahan Author-X-Name-First: Nusrat Author-X-Name-Last: Jahan Author-Name: Nabila Nisha Author-X-Name-First: Nabila Author-X-Name-Last: Nisha Title: Achieving a competitive edge through merger: evidence from telecoms industry of Bangladesh Abstract: This research aims to analyse the historic merger between Robi and Airtel, two major telecom operators in a developing country, Bangladesh. There were six operators in the telecoms industry with Grameenphone as the dominant leader. Amid the fierce competition and price war, the merger has taken place and formed consolidated Robi Axiata, with the goal of developing the number one cellular network with widest coverage and the second largest operator of the country. The estimated outcomes of the successful merger are higher profitability and market share, increased subscriber base, higher economies of scale, financial stability, improved spectrum, extensive sale and distribution channels, etc. which will ultimately lead to a sustainable competitive advantage. However, while Robi Axiata has become the second largest telecoms operator, it has a lot to accomplish in order to improve financial performance and develop a competitive edge in the long-term. In addition, the gains from the merger are expected to be realised by the stakeholders, companies, industry, and customers. Currently, the consolidation has started a new era in Bangladesh economy and its actual benefits can only be verified in the future. With profound qualitative analysis, the study offers valuable managerial and policy implications. Journal: Int. J. of Strategic Business Alliances Pages: 166-180 Issue: 3 Volume: 6 Year: 2018 Keywords: Bangladesh; merger and acquisition; Robi Axiata; Airtel; mobile; telecoms. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=94493 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijhrcs:v:6:y:2018:i:3:p:166-180 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Hu Xuhua Author-X-Name-First: Hu Author-X-Name-Last: Xuhua Author-Name: Michael Addai Author-X-Name-First: Michael Author-X-Name-Last: Addai Author-Name: Bertha Ada Danso Author-X-Name-First: Bertha Ada Author-X-Name-Last: Danso Author-Name: Chosniel Elikem Ocloo Author-X-Name-First: Chosniel Elikem Author-X-Name-Last: Ocloo Title: A neural network analysis of the influence of strategic and relational motivation on acquisition of inter-organisational network ties in the Ghanaian automobile cluster Abstract: The acquisition of inter-organisational network ties remains a functional pre-requisite in the survival of a business venture. We sought in this study, to explore the extent to which strategy-driven motivational factors and relational motivational factors significantly influence acquisition of inter-organisational network ties. Our data was procured from a sample of 150 managers and owners of small scale automobile firms recruited from an automobile cluster in Ghana. We adapted but modified a feed-forward neural network model where data propagate along the connections in the direction from the network inputs to the network outputs from the extant literature. Our results showed a complementary relationship between the effects of interactions that precede the development of cooperation among organisations and strategic forces which involve the deployment of a firm's core competencies. We proposed the need for automobile SMEs in Ghana to harness potential sources of competitive strength such as previous experience of working together with others. Journal: Int. J. of Strategic Business Alliances Pages: 181-202 Issue: 3 Volume: 6 Year: 2018 Keywords: strategic motivation; relational motivation; network ties; acquisition; inter-organisational. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=94494 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijhrcs:v:6:y:2018:i:3:p:181-202