Skip to main content

Using Alliances to Cut the Learning Curve of ICT

  • Conference paper
  • First Online:
Perspectives in Business Informatics Research (BIR 2016)

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Business Information Processing ((LNBIP,volume 261))

Included in the following conference series:

  • 749 Accesses

Abstract

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is arguably an important, emblematic and ubiquitous technology of contemporary society. For many incumbent firms, the infusion of ICT into their industries poses both threats and opportunities. It might drive significant shifts of financial wealth and make firm performance change drastically. It entails managerial challenges of a kind we might not have seen before, but where knowledge of what possibilities and limitations reside in ICT will be a key success factor. One strategy to incorporate ICT-capability is developing the capability in-house; another strategy is to shortcut the learning curve and form alliance with someone having ICT-capability. By applying a design science approach a framework for ICT-capability transfer is put forth, a framework based on 62 interviews from stakeholders with experience of ICT-motivated alliances. By using this framework the risk of failure is reduced.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Berne, C., Garcia-Gonzalez, M., Mugica, J.: How ICT shifts the power balance of tourism distribution channels. Tourism Manag. 33(1), 205–214 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Kowalkowski, C., Kindström, D., Gebauer, H.: ICT as a catalyst for service business orientation. J. Bus. Ind. Mark. 28(6), 506–513 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Pierce, P.: Using Alliances to Increase ICT Capabilities. Lund University, Lund (2013)

    Google Scholar 

  4. Baldi, F.: Managing strategic alliances in good and bad times. Options in Alliances. SpringerBriefs in Business, pp. 21–34. Springer, Milan (2013)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  5. Steinhilber, S.: Strategic Alliances: Three Ways to Make Them Work. HBS, Boston (2013)

    Google Scholar 

  6. Haeussler, C., Patzelt, H., Zahra, S.A.: Strategic alliances and product development in high technology new firms: the moderating effect of technological capabilities. J. Bus. Ventur. 27(2), 217–233 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Rooks, G., Snijders, C., Duysters, G.: Ties that tear apart: the social embeddedness of strategic alliance termination. Soc. Sci. J. 50(3), 359–366 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Chen, H.-H., Lee, P.-Y.: The driving drivers of dynamic competitive capabilities: a new perspective on competition. Eur. Bus. Rev. 21(1), 78–91 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Schilke, O., Goerzen, A.: Alliance management capability: an investigation of the construct and its measurements. J. Manag. 36(5), 1192–1219 (2010)

    Google Scholar 

  10. Kale, P., Singh, H.: Building firm capabilities through learning: the role of the alliance learning process in alliance capability and firm-level alliance success. SMJ 28(10), 981–1000 (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  11. Mellat-Parast, M., Digman, L.A.: Learning: the interface of quality management and strategic alliances. Int. J. Prod. Econ. 114(2), 820–829 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Basole, R.C., Park, H., Barnett, B.C.: Coopetition and convergence in the ICT ecosystem. Telecommun. Policy 39(7), 537–552 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Szulanski, G.: Exploring internal stickiness: impediments to the transfer of best practice within the firm. Strateg. Manag. J. 17, 27–43 (1996)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Leischnig, A., Geigenmueller, A., Lohmann, S.: On the role of alliance management capability, organizational compatibility, and interaction quality in interorganizational technology transfer. J. Bus. Res. 67(6), 1049–1057 (2014)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Corvello, V., Gitto, D., Carlsson, S., Migliarese, P.: Using information technolgoy to manage diverse knowledge sources in open innovation processes. In: Eriksson Lundström, J.S.Z., Wiberg, M., Hratinski, S., Edenius, M., Ågerfalk, P.J. (eds.) Managing Open Innovation Technologies, pp. 179–197. Springer, Berlin (2013)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  16. Davidson, M., Olfman, L.: The impact of information and communication technology use on interorganizational learning in an IT outsourcing collaboration. In: The 37th Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences, Hawaii, pp. 1–10 (2004)

    Google Scholar 

  17. Cohen, W.M., Levinthal, D.A.: Absorptive capacity: a new perspective on learning and innovation. Adm. Sci. Q. 35(1), 128–152 (1990)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Kalling, T., Styhre, A.: Knowledge Sharing in Organizations. Liber, Malmö (2003)

    Google Scholar 

  19. Park, S., Zhou, D.: Firm heterogeneity and competitive dynamics in alliance formation. Acad. Manag. Rev. 30(3), 531–554 (2005)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Alvesson, M., Sveningsson, S.: Good visions, bad micro-management and ugly ambiguity: contradictions of (non-)leadership in a knowledge-intensive organization. Organ. Stud. 24(6), 961–988 (2003)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Sveningsson, S., Alvesson, M.: Managerial Work: Leadership & Identity in an Imperfect World. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge (2015)

    Google Scholar 

  22. Ho, M.H.-W., Wang, F.: Unpacking knowledge transfer and learning paradoxes in international strategic alliances: contextual differences matter. Int. Bus. Rev. 24(2), 287–297 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Golonka, M., Rzadca, R.: Does a connection exist among national culture, alliance strategy, and leading ICT firms’ performance? J. Bus. Econ. Manag. 14(sup1), S395–S412 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Simonin, B.L.: The importance of collaborative know-how: an empirical test of the learning organization. Acad. Manag. J. 40(5), 1150–1174 (1997)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Rothaermel, F.T., Deeds, D.L.: Alliance type, alliance experience and alliance management capability in high-technology ventures. J. Bus. Ventur. 21, 429–460 (2006)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Grant, R.M., Baden-Fuller, C.: A knowledge accessing theory of strategic alliances. J. Manag. Stud. 41(1), 61–84 (2004)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Nonaka, I.: A dynamic theory of organizational knowledge creation. Organ. Sci. 5(1), 14–37 (1994)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. DeTurk, S.: The power of dialogue: consequences of intergroup dialogue and their implications for agency and alliance building. Commun. Q. 54(1), 33–51 (2006)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Ouchi, W.G.: Markets, bureaucracies, and clans. Adm. Sci. Q. 25, 129–141 (1980)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Luo, Y.: Are joint venture partners more opportunistic in a more volatile environment? Strateg. Manag. J. 28(1), 39–60 (2006)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Hill, C.W.L., Jones, T.M.: Stakeholder-agency theory. J. Manag. Stud. 29(2), 131–154 (1992)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Grant, R.M.: Towards a knowledge-based theory of the firm. Strateg. Manag. J. 17(Summer), 109–122 (1996)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Hamel, G.: Competition for competence and inter-partner learning within international strategic alliances. Strateg. Manag. J. 12(special issue), 83–103 (1991)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Becerra, M., Lunnan, R., Huemer, L.: Trustworthiness, risk, and the transfer of tacit and explicit knowledge between alliance partners. J. Manag. Stud. 45(4), 691–713 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Judge, W.Q., Dooley, R.: Strategic alliance outcomes: a transaction-cost economics perspective. Br. J. Manag. 17, 23–37 (2006)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Hofstede, G.: The cultural relativity of organizatoinal practices and theories. J. Int. Bus. Stud. 14(2, Special Issue on Cross Cultural Management), 75–89 (1983)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Sirmon, D.G., Lane, P.J.: A model of cultural differences and international alliance performance. J. Int. Bus. Stud. 35(4), 306–319 (2004)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Godfrey, P.C., Hill, C.W.L.: The problem of unobservables in strategic management research. Strateg. Manag. J. 16, 519–533 (1995)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Iivari, J.: A paradigmatic analysis of information systems as a design science. Scand. J. Inf. Syst. 19(2), 39–64 (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  40. Carlsson, S.A., Henningsson, S., Hrastinski, S., Keller, C.: Socio-technical IS design science research: developing design theory for IS integration management. IseB 9(1), 109–131 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Gregor, S., Jones, D.: The anatomy of a design theory. J. Assoc. Inf. Syst. 8(5), 312–335 (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  42. Hevner, A., Chatterjee, S.: Design Science Research in Information Systems: Theory & Practice. Springer, Berlin (2010)

    Book  Google Scholar 

  43. Kalling, T.: The lure of simplicity: learning perspectives on innovation. Eur. J. Innov. Manag. 10(1), 65–89 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Teece, D.J.: Explicating dynamic capabilities: the nature and microfoundations of (sustainable) enterprise performance. Strateg. Manag. J. 28, 1319–1350 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Aral, S., Weill, P.: IT assets, organizational capabilities, and firm performance: how resource allocations and organizational differences explain performance variation. Organ. Sci. 18(5), 763–780 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. Pérez, L., Florin, J., Whitelock, J.: Dancing with elephants: the challenges of managing asymmetric technology alliances. J. High Technol. Manag. Res. 23(2), 142–154 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Paul Pierce .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2016 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

About this paper

Cite this paper

Pierce, P., Andersson, B. (2016). Using Alliances to Cut the Learning Curve of ICT. In: Řepa, V., Bruckner, T. (eds) Perspectives in Business Informatics Research. BIR 2016. Lecture Notes in Business Information Processing, vol 261. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-45321-7_18

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics