Strategic Alliances Research Articles

The Nexus Between Data-Driven Decision-Making, Market Responsiveness, and Strategic Alliances in Boosting Business Growth of Start-Up Companies

This study explores the nexus between data-driven decision-making, market responsiveness, and strategic alliances in fostering business growth among start-up companies. Utilizing a quantitative research design, data were collected through surveys distributed to start-up firms, resulting in a sample that highlights the relationships among key constructs. The analysis, conducted using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), reveals that data-driven decision-making significantly influences business growth, with market responsiveness acting as a mediator and strategic alliances serving as a moderator in this relationship. The findings underscore the importance of leveraging data analytics to enhance responsiveness to market dynamics and establishing strategic partnerships to optimize growth outcomes. This research provides actionable insights for start-ups aiming to navigate competitive environments and drive sustainable growth.

NGOisation and food sovereignty: unearthing the intricacies of NGO-driven food sovereignty efforts. Insights from Uganda

AbstractIn many places, social movements and organised networks are the primary drivers of mobilisation for food sovereignty. Elsewhere, the concept has been institutionalized and incorporated into national food policy frameworks. However, there is a dearth of knowledge regarding places where food sovereignty efforts are spearheaded by NGOised civil society. This study addresses this gap by examining five Civil Society Organisations promoting food sovereignty in Uganda through qualitative research. Through in-depth interviews, the study explores the implementation, activism, and mobilisation strategies employed by these organisations. The findings reveal that civil society organisations play a significant role in advancing food sovereignty in Uganda. They do so through practical initiatives such as disseminating knowledge, building capacity among smallholder farmers, promoting agroecological practices, and politicizing agricultural development through farmer mobilisation, policy advocacy, and formation of strategic alliances. Nonetheless, the study highlights critical areas for improvement. First, the need for better coordination among CSOs to create synergies that can enhance the impact and sustainability of their efforts. Second, the need to complement non-contentious strategies with more politically assertive actions to address systemic barriers. Finally, the need to forge alliances for FS among rural producers, urban consumers, and other non-farming populations. The main takeaway from these findings is that Food Sovereignty is a dynamic and context-dependent concept, requiring equally flexible strategies to promote it. Therefore, the choice of mobilisation strategies should be carefully adapted to the unique political, cultural, and economic context, rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach.

Jordan’s Strategic Alliance With the West to Protect the Hashemite Regime

Jordan’s strategic alliance with the Western countries was established at the same time as the establishment of the state. It was a survival tool for the Hashemite regime which was perceived in the West and the Middle East in particular as a weak and vulnerable regime. The internal and external threats, as well as the coup attempts, were many and therefore the regime had to create a defense alliance with a Western power. Naturally, Britain was the first security support for the Hashemite regime and as its position in the Middle East declined at the end of the 1950s, the United States replaced Britain and became the Western power that protected the Hashemite regime. This was due to its pro-Western policy. Jordan receives the largest foreign aid from America (after Israel), is involved in security projects, participates in training with the American army and with Western countries, and is a partner with them in the fight against global terrorism. However, it should be mentioned that Israel also took a significant part in the defense of the Hashemite regime and was involved, officially and unofficially, in a number of operations starting in the 1950s. At that time, Israel’s perception of security took shape, which saw the existence of the Hashemite regime in Jordan as an Israeli interest, and therefore did everything possible to prevent its fall.

Supply chain management and the performance of small and medium scale enterprises in Nigeria

This paper examined the relationship between supply chain management practices (SCM) and performance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria. It aimed to explain how SCM practices like strategic suppliers’ alliances, information sharing, and collaborative governance impacts the performance of SMEs in Nigeria. SME success was measured using a continuum of operational efficiency, customer satisfaction, and profitability. To reach the study's goal, a survey research approach was used, with a sample of 352 respondents representing the owners and senior management members of registered SMEs in Nigeria. Because the study depended on quantitative analysis, respondents' opinions were collected using a standardised closed-ended questionnaire. The gathered data was analysed using IBM SPSS 28 and IBM AMOS. The study found a positive and substantial correlation between chosen SCM practices and the performance of SMEs in Nigeria, as shown by the coefficients and p-values (SSA = 0.544; P <.001; IFS = 0.621; P <.001; CGV = 0.673; P <.001). It is therefore argued that SCM techniques such as strategic partnerships with suppliers, information sharing, and collaborative governance have a favourable and significant influence on the performance of SMEs in Nigeria. Consistent with the findings and current literature, this study recommends that Nigerian SMEs form strategic supplier relationships by sharing continuous improvement programs with important suppliers and include key suppliers in their planning and goal-setting processes. Keywords: Supply Chain Management, Strategic Supplier Alliance, Information Sharing, Collaborative Governance, Performance.

Impact of heterogenous capabilities on export performance amid the digital transformation

We investigate the effects of adopting digital technology on export performance of Korean manufacturing firms amidst the digital transformation. We recognize firm-level capabilities should be closely associated with adoption of rapidly progressing digital technology but also with export performance. And our data indicates that the most common purpose of digital technology adoption is to launch new products to the market. Hence, we consider that technology adoption is a strategic and purposeful decision to gain competitive edge mostly by producing new product, and treating technology adoption exogenous can be misleading. Due to the endogeneity and selection issues in technology adoption, the endogenous switching regression is applied to this study as Coad et al. (2020). On technology adoption decision, we find external innovative resources from strategic alliance in addition to internal innovative capabilities stand out. Given technology adoption decision, internal capabilities like patent rights and international affiliation are complementary factors to export growth. The treatment effect analysis has implications as follows: the result on contribution of technology adoption to export growth for actually adopting firms is rather small, and shows heterogenous innovation, organizational, and external capabilities are still critical factors as much as new products embedding high-end digital technology; the result on non-adopting firms indicates potential of advanced digital technology to improve export performance by helping to produce such new products if they were actually capable to do it. In sum, our findings provide another evidence that structurally positive interaction between innovative activities and export performance as Aw et al. (2011), since adoption of digital technology to products itself is innovative in the digital transformation. Furthermore, the result is consistent with the capability theory in that heterogenous innovative and complementary capabilities determine strategic technology adoption and export performance simultaneously. Finally, our findings indicate that the digital transformation might be still at the early stage. The fact that Korean firms have adopted advanced digital technology mainly for new products can be interpreted as an indicator of early development stage of transformation, since firms concentrate on product innovation than process innovation to gain competitive edge at the early stage (Utterback and Abernathy, 1975). Thus, we expect that further evolution of digital transformation can facilitate process innovation, then contribute to firm performance by improving cost efficiency that should be tackled in the upcoming study.

OPTIMAL STRATEGIES FOR IMPLEMENTING MULTIDISCIPLINARY AND TRANS DISCIPLINARY EDUCATION IN MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS: INSIGHTS FROM GOAN COLLEGES

This study looks into the factors that influence the quality of management education offered by Goa-based institutes by using a thorough examination of important variables. It provides detailed insights through the use of data on interdisciplinary research centres, faculty cooperation, interdisciplinary electives, cross-institutional relationships, and experiential learning opportunities. The results highlight a paradigm shift towards comprehensive and contextually appropriate educational frameworks by revealing a greater emphasis on faculty partnerships, cross-departmental teaching, practical engagement or experimental learning possibilities, and integrated curriculum creation. Remarkably, multidisciplinary research institutes show unrealized promise, possibly due to the expense associated with them. This study offers practical suggestions for Goan educational institutions to improve their curricula while yet being adaptable to changing business needs and worldwide patterns. It contributes to the conversation on management education by providing suggestions for promoting academic excellence through multidisciplinary studies, experiential learning, and strategic alliances.

Energy Politics and Warfare: How International Energy Interests Shape Alliances in the Russian-Ukrainian Conflict

Purpose: This study aims to critically examine the intricate interplay of energy politics and military strategy within the context of the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian conflict. It posits that energy resources - specifically oil and natural gas - serve as pivotal factors that shape strategic alliances, influence geopolitical manoeuvring, and dictate the foreign policy trajectories of international actors, including the United States, the European Union, and China. Materials and Methods: The research employs a qualitative methodology that is underpinned by a series of semi-structured interviews conducted with a diverse cohort of policymakers, energy analysts, and industry stakeholders. Through this empirical approach, the study explores the participants' perceptions regarding the nexus between energy dynamics and security policymaking. In addition to the qualitative interviews, the investigation analyses a range of qualitative materials, including public statements, policy documents, and corporate strategic outlines. Discourse analysis is utilized to further uncover the mechanisms through which energy companies exert influence on governmental policies and military postures. Findings: The anticipated findings are expected to provide a nuanced understanding of the centrality of energy resources in influencing military strategies and fostering international coalitions. This analysis will contribute to an enriched scholarly discourse that informs not only theoretical frameworks in international relations but also practical applications in global energy governance and security. Implications to Theory, Policy and Practice: The inquiry underscores the imperative for a multifaceted and informed policy approach that acknowledges the profound implications of energy resources on national interests and global stability. By integrating energy considerations into security policymaking, the study advocates for a reassessment of traditional strategic paradigms that often overlook the complexities arising from energy interdependence.

Novel Techniques Tool in Cutting and Peeling Coconut: SWOT Analysis

Innovation is essential for small and medium-sized agricultural enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia, as it improves productivity and competitiveness in the agricultural industry. It is essential to incorporate cutting-edge techniques and tools for processing coconuts, given the agriculture sector's objective of increasing productivity and sustainability. Since Malaysia aims to upgrade its agricultural methods, these advancements are relevant in Malaysia. The present study provides a thorough SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis of CoCoCut's cutting and peeling procedures and tools for coconuts. The analysis is based on a single-case study. Furthermore, it evaluates inherent advantages and disadvantages of these innovative approaches, together with potential advantages and risks in the market. This study offers a thorough analysis of the innovative tool, i.e., CoCoCut's areas of expertise, which can help in identifying numerous possibilities for expanding its business. Moreover, it offers a comprehensive comprehension of CoCoCut's vulnerabilities and discerns prospective hazards that pertinent stakeholders may encounter in future. Having this comprehension is crucial for effectively navigating the intricacies of the market and taking advantage of advancements. To conclude, this study emphasizes need for adopting creative methods in coconut processing and advancing a more competitive and sustainable coconut sector. The invention and utilization of this groundbreaking instrument have several substantial economic ramifications. This cutting-edge gadget enhances the efficiency of coconut peeling, resulting in boost in output. It is advisable to utilize this instrument to enhance distribution network by forming strategic alliances with industry and trade firms, thereby expanding its reach in the worldwide market.

Impact of De-Dollarisation Move on Indian Rupee

Since the Russia-Ukraine war, it seems to be an era ofeconomic uncertainties and tense geopolitical relations. Could India reap some benefits arising out of these tense geopolitical scenario and uncertain geo-economic conditions? Post the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, Russia and China entered into a strategic relationship which provides a window for a more multialigned India. India could really reap the benefits of this strategic relationship of Russia and China if it can utilise this as an opportunity and puts more emphasis on its economic growth and market-oriented reforms. This could be possible if India strives for driving service based exports besides extending the manufacturing sector and gaining a pivotal role on the economic front through major chunk of global trade. India can utilise this strategic alliance of Russia and China as an opportunity especially by strengthening its economic power by focussing on service based exports besides expansionary move in the manufacturing sector. India could really gain out of these opportunities since lot many events are occurring globally which are really aiding India. Recent complex notifications as being given by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, emphasised a few class of exporters and importers to execute trade transactions in the India Rupee. It is really a turning point amidst latest phenomenon of global trade promoting globalisation in almost every sphere of trade with a great hue and cry. These bilateral trade orders really made the citizens nostalgic about EXIM policy in the past before the globalisation move. But how this time these notifications deviate from the times when India used to have a closed economic system. At that time the dollar was king, imports were strictly regulated by tariffs, foreign exchange reserves were limited and above all these recent measures of foreign trade in India in Indian Rupee pose an important question whether this is a move towards de-dollarisation and if it provides a window for Indian Rupee to rise.

Does embeddedness in strategic alliances matter for innovation efficiency? The moderating roles of government R&D subsidies and standardization

PurposeThis paper investigates the impact of strategic alliance network centrality and structural holes on firm innovation efficiency. In addition, the paper aims to explore the moderating effects of government R&D subsidies and firm technology standardization.Design/methodology/approachBased upon the literature on strategic alliance networks, this paper proposes a conceptual model with several hypotheses. The empirical analysis is based on a sample of 736 observations from 92 mechanical manufacturing firms in China from 2010 to 2017. We measured firm innovation efficiency via the DEA model and performed quantitative analysis with GMM estimation.FindingsThe results indicate that strategic alliance network centrality is positively related to firm innovation efficiency, and structural holes have a U-shaped relationship with firm innovation efficiency. Government R&D subsidies positively moderate the relationship between centrality and firm innovation efficiency. Firm technology standardization positively moderates the relationship between centrality and firm innovation efficiency and the U-shaped relationship between structural holes and firm innovation efficiency.Practical implicationsFirms should focus on improving innovation efficiency and maximizing innovation output under limited resources. Furthermore, managers ought to strengthen cooperation between firms and external alliances while promoting the utilization of strategic alliance network position resources to benefit innovation efficiency.Originality/valueThis paper considers that innovation efficiency, including input and output processes, is more representative than innovation performance, and few studies have focused on the relationship between strategic alliance networks and innovation efficiency. To fill this research gap, this paper explores the impact of strategic alliance network position embedding on innovation efficiency.

POSTULATING THEORY SYNTHESIZATION FOR STRATEGIC ALLIANCE AND COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE SUCCESS IN NIGERIA

<p><span lang="EN-US">Irrespective of country and economy, organizations around the globe are constantly scanning for ways to enhance their competitive position for sustained industry performance amidst heightened competition. Rather than competing against each other, these firms view themselves as strategic partners for long-term industry relationships. To this end, the study analyzed how theoretical Synthesization would greatly influence the positional standing of aligning firms. To achieve the study intent, the scoping review approach was employed. Study materials were mainly journal articles sourced from academic search engines and institutional databases. The study clearly states that regarding strategic alliance and competitive advantage, the essence of possessing rare, uncopiable, and non-substitutability organizational resources should be for inter-organizational purposes rather than individualist exploitation.</span></p>

A Geo-Strategic Metaverse? Examining Security Perceptions and Narratives of the AUKUS Strategic Alliance in the Indo-Pacific Rivalry

A Geo-Strategic Metaverse? Examining Security Perceptions and Narratives of the AUKUS Strategic Alliance in the Indo-Pacific Rivalry

Pak-France Relations During 21st Century: Strategic Alliances and Bilateral Cooperation

This research aims to critically analyse the bilateral relations between France and Pakistan during the 21st century. It emphasizes political, economic, social, cultural and military relationships between the two countries. Its purposes are to demonstrate the political ideologies and foreign policy objectives that influence Pakistan-France relations, to examine the nature of economic ties between Pakistan and France, to analyse the patterns of trade and investment that changed over time, to evaluate the Pakistan-France collaboration on military and security matters, and other key areas of cooperation, and to elucidate Pakistan-France political relations, the influence of pressure groups(political and religious) on their relationship, and to imposing allegations on France as a result of religious disparity in Pakistan. This study concludes that Pakistan and France are having high time collaborations in various sectors with a particular focus on working together in the fields of nuclear technology, defence cooperation, and resolving global security issues.

Analysing group‐ and metatechnology efficiencies and technology gap of airlines for a sustainable future

AbstractAirline performance evaluation, which involves incorporating sustainable concepts, provides stakeholders and managers with an objective basis for decision‐making. This evaluation considers not only conventional metrics but also environmental impacts, contributing to the advancement of sustainable development goals. This study incorporates a two‐stage network of airline operations, which implies that airlines utilise limited resources to meet their service capacity in the first stage and generate passenger and cargo services alongside carbon emissions in the second stage. The study proposes a union dynamic network data envelopment analysis model, which integrates group technology and meta‐technology into a unified model. This model not only solves the unreasonable technology gap ratio problem but also accounts for the technological heterogeneity (whether or not to participate in a strategic alliance) and the dynamic efficiency of different airlines in the network structure during different operation periods. A sample of 24 global airlines from 2017 to 2019 is used in the study. The empirical results show that the dynamic total meta‐efficiency of the alliance group is significantly greater than that of the nonalliance group over the 3 years. This suggests that joining a strategic alliance has a positive effect on airlines' operational efficiency while reinforcing their commitment to sustainability initiatives.

Digital technology innovation and corporate resilience

This study identifies over 220,000 digital invention patent applications for digital invention and creates an index of enterprise-level digital technology innovations. Using an empirical analysis based on a two-way fixed-effects model, this study examines the impact of digital technology innovation on enterprise resilience. Results show that digital technology innovations improve enterprise resilience. This improvement is mainly achieved by reducing internal and external information asymmetry, reducing operating costs, improving management levels and operational efficiency, and increasing market profitability and sustainable earning capacity. Moreover, this study extracted all announcements containing phrases such as “strategic alliance,” “strategic co-operation,” and “business alliance” from 3.208 million announcements on the JUCHAO website and further filtered them to select those strategic alliances in digital technology as their content of collaboration and identified them as digital technology strategic alliances. The findings show that companies that join digital technology strategic alliances have a greater impact on improving enterprise resilience. Furthermore, this study found that digital technology innovation can significantly improve the enterprise resilience with better network infrastructure and a more comprehensive intellectual property protection system. This study expands the research scope of the microlevel effects of the digital economy and provides valuable insights for governments to optimize digital economy policies and enterprises to develop digital innovation strategies.

Strategic alliances and global competitive actions: Unveiling collaborative pathways in higher education ranking

The escalating competition among higher education institutions in global university rankings necessitates an examination of their actions and reactions within a competitive dynamics framework. Utilising regression panel data, this study scrutinises the initiatives of 100 universities across 22 Asian nations over a decade, drawing from the QS World University Rankings and SciVal databases. Exposure, research intensity, and high-impacted research are identified as drivers of competition escalation. Moreover, the impact of international collaboration and university-industry collaboration on this dynamic is analysed, revealing varied moderating effects. By delving into the influence of international academic collaboration and university-industry collaboration, this research unveils opportunities for adopting a cooperative-competitive strategy among universities to excel in global ranking competitions.

DEVELOPMENT OF THE GLOBAL AIR TRANSPORTATION MARKET IN CONDITIONS OF TURBULENCE

The purpose of the article is to develop and substantiate the strategic priorities of international cooperation of air transport enterprises of Ukraine in war and post-war times based on the study of turbulence factors affecting the activity of the global air transport market, as well as the analysis of the strategic development of the world's largest airlines in crisis conditions. The methodological basis of the research is scientific theories of economic cycles and crises, theories of market equilibrium, theories of market structures, theories of cooperation and integration. Both general scientific and special methods of scientific knowledge were used – historical-logical, descriptive-analytical, analysis and synthesis, methods of quantitative and qualitative comparisons. The informational basis of the article is monographic studies and periodical publications of Ukrainian and foreign economists, analytical reports of international aviation organizations, international consulting companies and analytical centres. The article examines the essence, structure and modern trends in the development of the global air transport market. Turbulence factors affecting the dynamics of air transport are identified and justified, including geopolitical instability, economic downturns, rising fuel prices, pandemics, technological innovations etc. The impact of crises on international air transportation was assessed, and the peculiarities of the regulation of the world air market were considered. The role of global strategic alliances in the formation of the world market of air transportation is determined, it is established that international cooperation of air transport enterprises allows to increase the market share. The results of the research made it possible to justify the strategic priorities of international cooperation of air transport enterprises of Ukraine in war and post-war times. Research results can be used for scientific justification and further creation of proper conditions for the effective functioning of the global air transport market, as well as in the development of new strategies for air transport enterprises of Ukraine, which will allow them to remain stable and competitive in conditions of uncertainty and growing threats.

"China and Russia Strengthen Strategic Alliance: A United Front over U.S. Dominance"

If Russia does not swiftly enact democratic reforms, China and Russia will continue to battle for dominance of the world order for the next ten years. It is anticipated that it will involve the Global South and turn into a confrontation between the forces attempting to preserve the status quo. Leading the effort to overthrow the US-centered current order are China and Russia. It is expected that the result will be known with certainty once both teams have increased their level of competition. Rather, as the argument rages on, feelings will most likely begin to show. Effective competition management is essential for both parties to prevent destabilising factors such as inadvertent confrontations and unanticipated escalation. Whether or not China can be prevented from using force to alter the status quo unilaterally will be the primary element determining how the battle for international order plays out in the future.

Sustainable Entertainment: Management Strategies for Sustainable Growth in the Television Industry

As it faces the threats and seizes the possibilities presented by sustainability, the television business is experiencing a profound shift. The potential for long-term expansion in the television industry is investigated in this study by looking at sustainable entertainment management practices. The research finds important tactics that production businesses and television networks may use to incorporate social, economic, and environmental sustainability into their operations by looking at existing practices and new developments. Case studies of prominent firms, examination of sustainability reports, and expert interviews make up the research's mixed-methods strategy. The results show that in order to promote sustainability, it is crucial to use energy-efficient technology, decrease waste with digital manufacturing processes, and encourage social responsibility with inclusive content and fair labour standards. In order to achieve sustainable development in the long run, the research stresses the significance of stakeholder involvement and strategic alliances. Stakeholders in this sector may use the suggestions made in this paper to improve their sustainability initiatives and meet the changing needs of the global market in a way that is good for the environment and their bottom line.

Effects of Core Competitiveness on Strategic Alliance and Alliance Performance in Medical Device Industry

Along with the progress of economic development, the enhancement of national income, and the trend of population ageing in past years, people are annually increasing the medical expenses and enhancing the demands for medical devices. Being a part of healthcare, the requirements for the product safety and quality of medical devices are rather high. Manufacturers in the world therefore have to work hard to promote the competitiveness, attempting to achieve corporate goals and supply the best products to medical profession. Core competition combined resources are the sign of competitive advantage. Firms would build excellent competitive advantage through important resource combinations. A company tending to create competitiveness as well as build and lead new markets has to make investment earlier and continuously, apply the imagination to predict, develop, and investigate markets which have not been existed. The research focused on supervisors and employees in the medical device industry. The results reveal notable and positive effects of core competitiveness on strategic alliance and alliance performance, the understanding of how medical device firms apply strategic behavior in the competitive strategic means to reinforce the resource acquisition capability, and the reference for building the competitive advantage after strategic alliance and drafting appropriate competitive strategies for the business management of a domestic firm in medical device industry. It is expected to propose more specific suggestions for firms in medical device industry using core competitiveness in strategic alliance and dedicating to the promotion of competitive advantage.