Title: Inter-partner relationship, knowledge transfer mechanisms, and improved capability to manage R&D alliances: evidence from the telecommunications industry

Authors: Jan Feller, Annaleena Parhankangas, Riitta Smeds

Addresses: Nokia Corporation, P.O. Box 100, 000451 Nokia Group, Finland. ' New Jersey Institute of Technology, School of Management, University Heights, Newark, NJ 07102, USA. ' Helsinki University of Technology, SimLab/TKK, P.O. Box 9220, 02015 TKK, Finland

Abstract: This paper analyses the influence of the relationship between the alliance partners on the effectiveness of knowledge transfer mechanisms in promoting inter-organisational learning. In particular, we are interested in the role of inter-partner competition, knowledge complementarity and trust in moderating the relationship between the use of various knowledge transfer mechanisms and an improved capability to manage R&D alliances. Our results suggest that firms can expect utmost learning benefits from the use of knowledge transfer mechanisms in the presence of high inter-partner competition. In addition, we observe amplifying effects of knowledge complementarity and trust on the effectiveness of knowledge transfer mechanisms.

Keywords: inter-organisational relationships; alliance capability; R&D alliances; research and development; knowledge transfer; telecommunications industry; organisational learning; inter-partner competition; knowledge complementarity; trust.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.2009.024434

International Journal of Technology Management, 2009 Vol.47 No.4, pp.346 - 370

Published online: 03 Apr 2009 *

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