Title: The relationship between technology-based and product-based knowledge and alliance formation in new firms

Authors: Donna J. Kelley, Mark P. Rice, Lois S. Peters

Addresses: Arthur M. Blank Center for Entrepreneurship, Babson College, Babson Park, MA 02457, USA. Lally School of Management and Technology, Rensselaer Polytechnic, Institute, Troy, NY 12180, USA. Lally School of Management and Technology, Rensselaer Polytechnic, Institute, Troy, NY 12180, USA

Abstract: Firms are typically viewed as seeking alliances to achieve certain outcomes, advantages they perceive will result from these relationships. Our research investigates whether certain inputs, specifically knowledge, can explain differential alliance formation. Our empirical analysis of 67 new computer and telecommunications firms reveals that firms with more extensive technology-based and product-based knowledge are more likely to form alliances at a higher rate than those with less extensive knowledge. The implications for these findings are that alliances are more attractive to firms with a foundation of knowledge that can be leveraged, and firms with this knowledge have something of value to attract alliance partners.

Keywords: alliances; technological entrepreneurship; innovation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEIM.2001.000450

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management, 2001 Vol.1 No.2, pp.143-156

Published online: 16 Jul 2003 *

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