Title: A neural network analysis of the influence of strategic and relational motivation on acquisition of inter-organisational network ties in the Ghanaian automobile cluster

Authors: Hu Xuhua; Michael Addai; Bertha Ada Danso; Chosniel Elikem Ocloo

Addresses: Jiangsu University, 301 Xuefu Rd., Zhenjiang, 202013, China ' Accra Technical University, P.O. Box 561, Accra, Ghana, West Africa ' Jiangsu University, 301 Xuefu Rd., Zhenjiang, 202013, China ' Accra Technical University, P.O. Box 561, Accra, Ghana, West Africa

Abstract: The acquisition of inter-organisational network ties remains a functional pre-requisite in the survival of a business venture. We sought in this study, to explore the extent to which strategy-driven motivational factors and relational motivational factors significantly influence acquisition of inter-organisational network ties. Our data was procured from a sample of 150 managers and owners of small scale automobile firms recruited from an automobile cluster in Ghana. We adapted but modified a feed-forward neural network model where data propagate along the connections in the direction from the network inputs to the network outputs from the extant literature. Our results showed a complementary relationship between the effects of interactions that precede the development of cooperation among organisations and strategic forces which involve the deployment of a firm's core competencies. We proposed the need for automobile SMEs in Ghana to harness potential sources of competitive strength such as previous experience of working together with others.

Keywords: strategic motivation; relational motivation; network ties; acquisition; inter-organisational.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSBA.2018.094494

International Journal of Strategic Business Alliances, 2018 Vol.6 No.3, pp.181 - 202

Received: 25 Oct 2017
Accepted: 31 May 2018
Published online: 03 Sep 2018 *

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