Bringing a network perspective into research on technological transfers and other interorganizational relationships

International interorganizational relationships have exploded in the last decade (U.S. News and World Report, June 20, 1988: 48) and not surprisingly researchers have become increasingly interested in this phenomenon. A strong foundation of research grounded in strategic and transaction cost approaches is emerging on dyads at the organizational and industry level. This article proposes that a network perspective which considers the constellation of relationships these dyads are embedded in could enhance this research stream by bringing issues of power, resource dependence and exchange to the forefront. Applications using data on U.S./Japan linkages are used to illustrate a network approach. Implications for future research on interorganizational relationships are considered

Penetration without dependence: A network analysis of Japanese economic activity in the U.S.

Economic activity between the U.S. and Japan has skyrocketed in the last decade, yet there is little cross-industry research exploring entry patterns of multiple forms of investment. This study explores the form and occurrence of new Japanese investment across the U.S. economy in 1984. In the first part of the paper, a conceptual scheme for classifying investments is developed and then compared to the results generated from an empirical classification using structural equivalence analysis. The second part of the paper predicts and maps where the three key forms, direct investment (DI), high resource investment linkages (HRIL's), and low resources investment linkages (LRIL's) predominate. The results show that LRIL's are found primarily in less predictable environments with rapidly changing technologies. HRIL's are found in stable environments with difficult barriers to entry. DIs are found in more accessible, profitable environments, often providing suppliers for Japanese companies already established in the U.S. Implications for theory and policy are highlighted

The relationship of industry evolution to patterns of technological linkages, joint ventures, and direct investment between the U.S. and Japan

The patterns of technological linkages, joint ventures, and direct investment between U.S. and Japan were predicted for emerging, growing, maturing, and declining industries based on an analysis of the key characteristics of each stage of industry evolution and the costs and benefits of each form of resource investment. A first model predicting peak activity for technological linkages in emerging industries, joint ventures in growing industries, and direct investment in maturing industries was supported as was a second model which customized prediction for all forms at each stage of evolution. Implications and suggestions for future research are discussed

Stragility: excelling at strategic changes

Building on a field-tested framework the authors have applied in Fortune 500 companies, small businesses, and social sector organizations, Stragility provides the tools for creating a thriving, high-energy organization that will excel at strategic change - again and again

External knowledge sourcing in biotechnology through acquisition versus alliance: A KBV approach

Knowledge sourcing is important for firms, especially in fast-paced industries. However, few studies explore the effects of knowledge-based predictors on the comparative choice of employing acquisitions versus alliances for sourcing external knowledge. This study extends the limited existing research on this topic. It simultaneously examines the effects of knowledge domain attributes, seeker and source experience-based knowledge, and dyad knowledge similarity and digestibility on whether a firm chooses an acquisition or alliance when sourcing external knowledge. Data is comprised of 209 research-driven acquisitions and alliances of biotechnology firms based in North America. Our findings reveal that external knowledge sourcing through acquisition is more likely when the knowledge domain is more complex and valuable. Acquisition is also preferred when the seeker has greater acquisition experience and when the source has accumulated a moderate level of alliance experience. Alliance, in contrast, is the chosen mode for accessing external knowledge when the knowledge is high in specificity and when the seeker has prior alliance experience. In addition, increasing similarity and digestibility of the dyad's knowledge bases strengthen the relationship between knowledge value and the probability of acquisition versus alliance. These results extend understanding of how firms decide to augment their knowledge resources in a knowledge-intensive industry. They also demonstrate that a multilevel KBV approach emphasizing knowledge characteristics uncovers important predictors of strategy and structure in research-driven organizations.Knowledge Acquisitions Alliances Knowledge-based view Biotechnology