Knowledge Acquisition in International Strategic Alliances

International strategic alliances (ISA) are a common§practice among firms to sustain their competitiveness§in a global market. Despite its attractiveness in§expediting firms innovations and keeping up with the§latest technology, ISA pose some risks to the§engaging firms. Many firms were unable to capitalize§the relationship established and achieve anticipated§goals. This book discusses the process of knowledge§acquisition by firms in emerging economies like§Malaysia through their involvement in international§strategic alliances. International strategic§alliances that has been studied encompass of both§equity and non-equity alliances. Several variables§that impede the process of knowledge acquisition are§examined, they are learning capacity, experience,§goals, active involvement and accessibility to the§foreign knowledge. The behaviour of joint ventures§firms and contractual agreements are compared in this§book. Types and the extent of knowledge acquisition§are analysed in terms of firms performance after§engaging in such relationship. Tacit knowledge§elements such as dependency, capabilities,§accessibility and organizational effects are also§discussed in the book.