Synopses & Reviews
The past two decades have witnessed an enormous growth worldwide in the number of inter-firm collaborations. This trend towards more cooperation is considered as one of the greatest changes in the way business is conducted. However, several important questions in the field of inter-firm collaboration remain unanswered. Based on institutional and industrial economics Carolin Häussler analyzes the following topics: " Do inter-firm collaborations increase firm value? " Does value enhancement vary according to firm and collaboration characteristics? " What determines the allocation of control rights between asymmetrical partners? " Does the contractual structure influence the success of collaboration? " Is collaboration supporting firm restructuring in times of change? This book is essential reading for researchers and students in the fields of business administration and economics. It is equally interesting to managers in corporate development and strategy departments.
Synopsis
The increasing number of inter-firm collaborations suggests that the collaborative mode of organizing transactions has become quite attractive in many industries. Today's firms increasingly operate in highly technology-and knowledge intensive areas where the sources of knowledge are located more diffusely. Moreover, globalization exposes firms to global competition, but also creates tremendous opportunities for exploiting technologies and competencies more fully than in the past. Carolin Haussler's dissertation acknowledges these new challenges and studies various aspects of collaborative arrangements. Among the questions addressed in her thesis are: Do inter-firm collaboration increase firm value? How do partners in a business alliance allocate control rights? Does contractual structure influence performance? Does the collaborative mode of organizing influence firm dynamics? In her dissertation, Carolin Haussler attempts to answer some of these questions. She uses quantitative econometric evidence and qualitative information from firms. In chapter 2, she presents an event study and analyzes stock market reactions to inter-firm collaboration announcements. The findings suggest that not all firms profit equally from inter firm collaboration. In chapter 3, Carolin Haussler addresses the problems emerging in asymmetrical partnerships, e.g. between large pharmaceutical firms and biotechnology startups. Using a unique dataset on inter-firm collaborations, Haussler finds that the assignment of control rights is mainly related to incentive issues and the bargaining position of firms."
Synopsis
Carolin Häussler analyzes the following topics: Do inter-firm collaborations increase firm value? Does value enhancement vary according to firm and collaboration characteristics? What determines the allocation of control rights between asymmetrical partners? Does the contractual structure influence the success of collaboration? Is collaboration supporting firm restructuring in times of change?
About the Author
Dr. Carolin Häussler ist wissenschaftliche Assistentin von Prof. Dietmar Harhoff, Ph.D., am Institut für Innovationsforschung, Technologiemanagement und Entrepreneurship der Universität München.
Table of Contents
Interfirm collaboration and firm value
Control rights and the performance of asymmetrical inter-firm collaborations
Firm-specific factors and their impact on firm restructuring in times of change
Research designs
Empirical tests and results