How does the partner type in R&D alliances impact technological innovation performance? A study on the Korean biotechnology industry

Kwangsoo Shin (), Sang Ji Kim () and Gunno Park ()
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Kwangsoo Shin: Seoul National University
Sang Ji Kim: Samsung Economic Research Institute
Gunno Park: Samsung SDS

Asia Pacific Journal of Management, 2016, vol. 33, issue 1, No 6, 164 pages

Abstract: Abstract The number of strategic alliances for R&D activities in the biotechnology industry is sharply increasing. Some studies show that each alliance partner type has different alliance motives, resources and capabilities, organizational structures and cultures, and degrees of competition with partners, which can lead to different performances of strategic alliances. In this regard, this study conducts an empirical analysis of the different impact of each type of alliance partner on technological innovation performance and finds the moderating effect of absorptive capacity and potential competition by categorizing strategic alliances for R&D activities in the biotechnology industry into three types: vertical-downstream alliances, vertical-upstream alliances, and horizontal alliances. This study analyzed 206 Korean biotechnology firms and their strategic alliances for a total of 292 R&D activities. The results of the analysis showed that vertical alliances have a positive impact on technological innovation performance, while horizontal alliances have an inverted U-shaped relationship with technological innovation performance caused by the effect of competition. Additionally, it was confirmed that the R&D intensity of biotechnology firms has a moderating effect of increasing the impact of vertical-upstream alliances on technological innovation performance.

Keywords: Biotechnology industry; Partner type; Vertical alliance; Horizontal alliance; Absorptive capacity; Competition (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (16)

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DOI: 10.1007/s10490-015-9439-7

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