The reconfiguration of practical knowledge in competitive alliances

Abstract

The nature and value of knowledge transfer and inter-organisational learning processes within cooperative alliances are well known. Less attention, however, has been paid to inter-organisational learning processes within 'competitive collaborations'. Particularly, the nature and extent of information system use within inter-organisational knowledge management practices has been under-explored. In this paper, we use a micro-political change lens to reveal the nature of inter-organisational learning and practical knowledge transformation. Drawing upon two case studies of competitive alliances in the retail sector, our findings suggest that inter-organisational learning and practical organisational knowledge transfer is uneven at an operational level. We investigate the relationship between value creation and inter-organisational information system use in competitive collaboration processes and argue that further development of competitive alliance theory at the sub-organisational level is required.