Strategic Alliance Use, Firm Size, Outcome Satisfaction, and Partner Behaviours

Abstract

The goals of this paper are twofold: first, to enhance our understanding of alliance use and its relationship with firm size; and, second, to analyse outcome satisfaction by considering the influence of perceptions about partner behaviour. Specifically three issues of importance to both organisational leaders and policymakers are explored. First, how many SMEs are engaging in strategic alliance activity; what forms of cooperation are they choosing or planning; and, how does this activity relate to firm size. Second, how satisfied with their cooperative efforts are those who have engaged in alliance activity. Finally, how is the degree of satisfaction influenced by perceptions of partner behaviour reflecting the transaction cost economics concept of opportunism.