Title: Interfirm collaboration in the shipbuilding industry: the shipbuilding cycle perspective

Authors: Marina Z. Solesvik

Addresses: Bodo Graduate School of Business, Bodo 8049, Norway; Stord/Haugesund University College, Bjornsonsgate, 45, Haugesund 5528, Norway

Abstract: This paper investigates the interfirm cooperative strategies of shipbuilding firms. This paper aims to understand the system nature and dynamics of interfirm cooperative strategies adopted by firms in the shipbuilding industry related to the phase of the shipbuilding cycle. A theory-building approach from case studies is applied in this study. The study is based on interviews with managers of the Norwegian, Danish, Polish and Ukrainian shipbuilding firms. In addition, secondary data were collected. Issues relating to the aims of joining cooperative agreements; resources and competences which the shipbuilding firms and their collaborators contribute to joint ventures, strategic alliances and other collaborative arrangements; and how collaborative strategies were related to the phase of the shipbuilding cycle were explored. Implications for further research, practitioners and policy-makers are provided.

Keywords: shipbuilding cycle theory; interfirm cooperation; cooperative strategy; collaboration; Norway; Denmark; Poland; Ukraine; cooperative agreements; resources; competences; joint ventures; strategic alliances.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBSR.2011.040788

International Journal of Business and Systems Research, 2011 Vol.5 No.4, pp.388 - 405

Published online: 17 Apr 2015 *

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