Title: Alliance relationships and performance: an empirical investigation from Taiwan-based and China-based Taiwanese businesspeople in the information technology industry

Authors: Lu-Jui Chen, Wen-Ruey Lee

Addresses: Ming-Chuan University, International Business Department and Graduate Program, No. 250, Sec. 5, Zhongshan N. Rd., Shilin District, Taipei City 111, Taiwan. ' National Taipei College of Business, Department of International Business, No. 321, Sec. 1, Jinan Rd., Zhongzheng District, Taipei City 100, Taiwan

Abstract: Variations in the information technology industry, the resources demanded, and the strategic management mechanisms inspire business interaction and the construction of relationships. This study examines a sample of 208 Taiwan-owned IT-related firms (158 located in Taiwan and 50 located in China) to explore the impacts of resource dependence and dedicated alliance functions on relationships and performance. The sample is divided into Taiwan-based and China-based Taiwanese businesspeople to test the path effects of the conceptual framework. The results show that an alliance relationship provides key effects for performance and satisfaction. We reveal that Taiwanese firms show a willingness to form an alliance relationship, whereas China-based Taiwanese businesspeople show greater consideration of overall operational strategy, valuing alliance performance over relationships.

Keywords: resource dependence; dedicated alliance functions; alliance relationships; alliance performance; China; Taiwan; strategic alliances; IT industry; information technology; operational strategy.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBPM.2011.039886

International Journal of Business Performance Management, 2011 Vol.12 No.3, pp.203 - 216

Accepted: 14 Dec 2010
Published online: 21 Oct 2014 *

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