The asymmetries in strategic alliances of MNEs subsidiaries in Taiwan
by Ching-Sung Wu, Su-Houn Liu, Chun-Liang Chen
International Journal of Technology Management (IJTM), Vol. 48, No. 3, 2009

Abstract: Strategic alliances play a critical role in the business of Multinational Enterprises (MNEs), such as HP and IBM, which are under pressure because of ongoing e-business transformation. This study explores the phenomenon of strategy differences in allying with Taiwan local companies between two e-business MNEs, IBM and HP, subsidiaries under technological changes and globalisation. We find that, even though the subsidiaries have followed the e-business strategies inherited from their parent companies in some ways, the motivations for IBM Taiwan and HP Taiwan to ally with local firms are consistent with Dunning's reappraised eclectic paradigm. Our findings also indicate that these two MNEs subsidiaries ally asymmetrically with local firms by using non-equity alliances. In addition, we find that Taiwanese partner firms have a particular interest in forming scale (horizontal) alliances with e-business MNEs. Specifically, this study extends the explanations and implications of the Familiarity Matrix, links it to the OLI model and explores the role of technology in MNEs international strategic alliance activities.

Online publication date: Tue, 05-May-2009

The full text of this article is only available to individual subscribers or to users at subscribing institutions.

 
Existing subscribers:
Go to Inderscience Online Journals to access the Full Text of this article.

Pay per view:
If you are not a subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, buy online access here.

Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Technology Management (IJTM):
Login with your Inderscience username and password:

Username:        Password:          Forgotten your password?

Want to subscribe?
A subscription gives you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years (where applicable). See our Orders page to subscribe.

If you still need assistance, please email subs@inderscience.com