Organizational Modes of Strategic Technology Partnering

Abstract

The paper addresses an issue that is often neglected in the literature on strategic technology alliances, i.e., the organizational modes of partnering as such. A classification of modes of technology cooperation in terms of inter-organizational dependence is used here to discuss major trends and characteristics of different forms of inter-firm partnering. The empirical material is taken from the MERIT-CATI database. We have demonstrated that other, more flexible, forms of cooperation than joint ventures, such as R&D pacts, technology exchange agreements and research contracts, have become so important that the preoccupation with

joint ventures cannot be justified.