AIB 2012 Conference Proceedings - Academy of International ...

TUESDAY
firms. Anchoring our work in interfirm governance theories and the resource-based view, we develop a model
and empirically test relationships related to behavioral governance mechanisms, innovation capabilities and
business performance. In the cross-industry and cross-border context, the empirical model explains to what
extent complementary strategic resources, through a relational governance mechanism, contribute to the
innovation capabilities of high-tech firms, providing a competitive advantage. The data, analyzed using partial
least squares path modeling, indicates that technological commitment is a factor in expediting technology
resource exchange in ITAs between heterogeneous firms. The results also show that firm-level performance is
only influenced by market development capability, and not new product development capability, in product
innovation. However, we did not find any significant moderating effects of firm size and industry type on the
model. Furthermore, this paper offers insights into how high-tech firms benefit from interfirm governance in
international technology resource exchange arrangements. (For more information, please contact: Yong Kyu
Lew, University of Hull, United Kingdom: Y.Lew@hull.ac.uk)
Alliance or Going Alone: The Choice for Internationalizing Small and Medium-Sized Technology Enterprises
Gongming Qian, Chinese University of Hong Kong
Lee Li, York University
Small and medium-sized firms interested in entering international markets face a difficult decision with regard to
the choice of governance modes. The options available to a firm include internalization and externalization.
Existing theories contradict each other as to the strategic benefits of these options. This study compares these
theories in the context of small and medium-sized technology-based enterprises (SMTEs). Findings from this
study suggest that merits of internalization and externalization vary with market contexts and the resources
under the firm's control. Under certain conditions, one theory can be more powerful than the other. (For more
information, please contact: Gongming Qian, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR-PRC:
qian@baf.msmail.cuhk.edu.hk)
Control Decisions of Offshored Activities: Drivers of Non-Equity Alliances
Gabriella Lojacono, Università Bocconi
Nicola Misani, Università Bocconi
Motivations of both offshoring and alliances have been intensively analysed in the international business field.
However the interrelation between the two fields has not yet been investigated in depth. Given the
commonalities in the drivers considered in the two streams of research, a combined theoretical framework is an
interesting research field to investigate the motivations of the governance choice for delocalized collaborative
agreements. Empirical analysis of 361 alliances realized on a global basis between 1986 and 2010 in the major
appliances industry reveals that the activity content and the hosting location are strong drivers for deciding for a
non-equity alliance. (For more information, please contact: Nicola Misani, Università Bocconi, Italy:
nicola.misani@unibocconi.it)
Session: 3.4.5 - Competitive
Track: 12 - Value Creation and Work
Activity Organization and Firm Boundaries
Presented On: July 3, 2012 - 14:30-15:45
Chair: Silvia Massini, University of Manchester
AIB 2012 Conference Proceedings
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