Title: An exploratory study of the motives and perceived effectiveness of international cooperative alliances among SMEs

Authors: Heiko Haase, Mario Franco

Addresses: Faculty of Management and Economics, Worms University of Applied Sciences, Erenburgerstrasse 19, 67549 Worms, Germany. ' Management and Economics Department, University of Beira Interior, Estrada do Sineiro, 6200-209 Covilha, Portugal

Abstract: The process of internationalisation is a difficult undertaking for firms that have limited resources, in particular for small and medium-sized enterprises (SME). In this context, it seems that cooperative alliances (CA) can be a successful strategy. Regarding SME, the article seeks to elucidate the influence of motives for international CAs on their perceived effectiveness. To achieve this objective, we performed a quantitative analysis of a sample of 107 Portuguese SME involved in international CAs. The results reveal a number of motives as relevant for the performance of international CAs. The paper ends with contributions and implications for practitioners, policy makers and academics.

Keywords: international alliances; cooperative alliances; motives; business performance; Portugal; perceived effectiveness; practitioners; policy makers; academics; international entrepreneurship; innovation management; internationalisation; international strategies; small and medium-sized enterprises; SMEs.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEIM.2011.039825

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management, 2011 Vol.13 No.3/4, pp.314 - 336

Published online: 30 Sep 2014 *

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