Title: Management of multi-R&D-alliance processes in international companies: a conceptual framework

Authors: Ulrich Lichtenthaler

Addresses: Chair for Technology and Innovation Management, Otto Beisheim Graduate School of Management (WHU), Burgplatz 2, D-56179 Vallendar, Germany

Abstract: The importance of international R&D alliances has been growing, and many large companies carry out more than 100 R&D alliances simultaneously. In parallel, the R&D organisations of large companies have become increasingly international. As a result, large technology-intensive companies face the problem of managing their multiple international R&D alliances in the context of globally distributed R&D units. In a situation involving both the multi-alliance and the international dimension, an adequate localisation and organisation of the alliance activities gain additional importance. These challenges are very common in practice but they do not receive adequate attention in the existing literature. Therefore, a framework is developed in this article based on existing research results regarding the localisation and organisation of international multi-R&D-alliance processes. The questions described above are analysed along a process model of international multi-R&D-alliance processes. Afterwards, a process-spanning view is set up and managerial implications are discussed. Finally, the organisational option of an ||alliance function|| is described, which facilitates an integrated management approach to international multi-R&D-alliance processes.

Keywords: alliance functions; alliance processes; international alliances; international R&D management; localisation of alliances; multi-alliance management; multi-project management; R&D alliances; research and development; joint ventures; technology transfer.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTTC.2005.006698

International Journal of Technology Transfer and Commercialisation, 2005 Vol.4 No.4, pp.439 - 461

Published online: 01 Apr 2005 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article