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