Title: Interfirm collaboration in a cultural context: insight from the research on the ICT industry in Poland

Authors: Monika Golonka

Addresses: Management Department, Kozminski University, Jagiellonska 59, 03-301 Warsaw, Poland

Abstract: In the global ICT industry, an explosion of alliances has been observed. This study aims to analyse the interfirm collaboration phenomenon in the ICT firms in Poland. Previous studies show that unlike in developed countries, interfirm collaboration in Poland is not a common way of firms' development. The reasons may be inherent in the environment, including socio-cultural setting. This study explores all stages of the formation and management of firms' alliances on the sample of 140 firms, and their alliance portfolios. A mixed methods approach was chosen, comprising of a literature review, quantitative analysis, in depth interviews with top managers, as well as interviews consultations with several experts. The study complements and extends existing literature in the area of alliance portfolio phenomenon by providing empirical evidence of emergence, configuration, and management of alliance portfolios.

Keywords: interfirm collaboration; ICT industry ; Poland; alliance portfolios; networks; cultural factors; alliance forming; alliance configuration; alliance management; SME internationalisation; national culture; Poland; strategic alliances; small and medium-sized enterprises; SMEs; information and communications technology; information technology.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEPEE.2013.055793

International Journal of Economic Policy in Emerging Economies, 2013 Vol.6 No.2, pp.122 - 140

Published online: 28 Jun 2014 *

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