Solving the ally-versus-acquire dilemma through the dual lenses of subjective and objective views

    Chiung-Hui Tseng Info
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3846/16111699.2017.1312512

Abstract

Nowadays many firms seek hard-to-imitate assets via allying with or acquiring other firms that own desired resources. As such, how to choose between alliances and acquisitions becomes a critical decision, and one important determinant is interfirm factors. This study probes three crucial yet underexplored interfirm differences, and develops scales to capture managers’ perceptions of the differences that, based on managerial cognition literature, dictate the ally-versus-acquire choice. Further, we argue that managers adjust their judgement across varying objective conditions. Each perceived difference is thus paired with a moderator identified respectively from the resource-based view, competitive dynamics, and collaborative capability literature. Evidences on Taiwanese firms show that a larger resource-deployment difference enhances acquisition likelihood, while greater differences in marketing praxis and human resource management increase alliance formation. Moreover, the resource-deployment difference leads to alliances for relatively younger partners, and the difference in human resource management favors acquisitions when focal firms have more interfirm governance experience.

Keywords:

ally-versus-acquire decision, governance mode choice, alliance, acquisition, interfirm difference, subjective assessment, objective condition

How to Cite

Tseng, C.-H. (2017). Solving the ally-versus-acquire dilemma through the dual lenses of subjective and objective views. Journal of Business Economics and Management, 18(3), 373-389. https://doi.org/10.3846/16111699.2017.1312512

Share

Published in Issue
June 16, 2017
Abstract Views
782

View article in other formats

CrossMark check

CrossMark logo

Published

2017-06-16

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Tseng, C.-H. (2017). Solving the ally-versus-acquire dilemma through the dual lenses of subjective and objective views. Journal of Business Economics and Management, 18(3), 373-389. https://doi.org/10.3846/16111699.2017.1312512

Share