Strategic Alliance Management

Strategic alliances – partnerships between separate organizations to share resources collaboratively toward mutually beneficial goals – are an important management instrument, but one that is difficult for firms to manage. Among many desirable outcomes, alliances can reduce costs, provide access to new technology, and improve research and development endeavours, though collaborative arrangements come with risks, peril, and adversities. This renewed and re-worked text connects theory to practice to help understand this important business practice.

Strategic Alliance Management presents an academically grounded alliance development framework, detailing eight stages of alliance development with consideration for specific management challenges. For each stage, readers are presented with state-of-the-art theoretical insights, evidence-based managerial guidelines and a business case illustration. Additional chapters detail on contemporary alliance management challenges, including co-opetition and business eco-systems. Other chapters highlight the role of alliance professionals, alliance capabilities and paradoxical challenges in alliance relationships.

This second edition retains a blend of academic knowledge and practical examples, while updating case examples and adding five new chapters on emerging alliance topics. This book remains vital reading for business students and professionals interested in strategic management.

Brian Tjemkes is Assistant Professor of Management and Organization at VU University Amsterdam, the Netherlands

Pepijn Vos is Researcher Consultant in the field of innovation and alliance management at TNO, the Netherlands

Koen Burgers is a PhD Candidate at Nyenrode University, the Netherlands