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Research on CEO overconfidence establishes its important effects on organizational strategy and performance. It can lead CEOs to overestimate their firm's capabilities and inaccurately assess the risk of new actions. Due to these effects, we argue that in need of the access to external knowledge, CEOs exhibiting greater overconfidence are more likely to pursue alliances. We also contribute to this ongoing conversation by linking CEO overconfidence to the suboptimal selection of alliance partners in the pursuit of external knowledge. Specifically, we demonstrate how greater overconfidence leads CEOs to discount organizational characteristics that have been shown to be beneficial in the alliance literature—greater knowledge base, knowledge impact, technology experience, and their own firm's knowledge dependence on potential alliance partners. With empirical tests of a broad sample of firms in healthcare-related industries tracked from 2001 to 2021, our work helps to integrate concepts of CEO overconfidence with the dynamics of partner selection in the knowledge and innovation domain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Third-party logistics (TPL) providers have shown positive impacts on supporting large construction projects. Nevertheless, their role in smaller construction still requires further clarification. Small contractors, facing logistics challenges in material supply, are frequently underrepresented in research. We propose a TPL model designed as an intermediary between suppliers and small contractors for consolidating materials. In the initial phase, TPL's business model should be developed for its business foundation. Therefore, this study aims to develop TPLS's conceptual business model that addresses Indonesian small contractors. Three interview themes were employed in this research, involving three distinct groups of small contractors to explore their capacities within construction work, their assessments of specific materials, and their logistical practices. Based on the nine blocks of the Business Model Canvas (BMC), this study found that TPL can ensure material supplies for small construction projects by coordinating sourcing, providing temporary storage, and delivering materials through building strategic partnerships with material suppliers, transportation service providers, and warehousing facility providers. Furthermore, TPL's conceptual business model allows small contractors to gain better access to material supply while providing suppliers with certainty of material purchasing demand. Nonetheless, achieving successful TPL implementation requires dedication from every stakeholder in their assigned roles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper uses data from Chinese ICT-listed firms from 2012 to 2022 and employs a difference-in-differences model to empirically examine the impact of the Sino-US trade friction on firm total factor productivity (TFP). The study finds that the trade friction has a significantly positive effect on the TFP of Chinese ICT firms, and this conclusion remains robust after a series of robustness checks. The mechanism analysis reveals that forcing ICT firms to increase R&D investment and improve management efficiency is the path mechanism to improve TFP. The firm heterogeneity analysis shows that the productivity-enhancing effect of the trade friction is more pronounced in non-state-owned firms and firms participating in strategic alliances. The regional heterogeneity analysis indicates that this positive effect is more evident in firms located in regions with a culture of business cooperation and in the eastern regions of China. This research provides new empirical evidence of the trade friction and offers strategic insights for policy makers to mitigate trade-related uncertainties during Sino-US trade friction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Faced with a changing geopolitical context, the European Union is seeking to find a new balance between sometimes contradictory requirements in its external relations. It is seeking to defend its values - particularly fundamental rights - while showing greater concern for security imperatives. This strategic reorientation is likely to have an influence on its relations with ASEAN. The elevation of the relationship between the EU and ASEAN to the rank of Strategic Partnership in 2020 marks an ambition to strengthen relations between the two regions, a determination confirmed by an analysis of the official communication. Joint achievements, although effective, are only a partial implementation of these ambitions. While there is indeed a renewal of cooperation between the EU and ASEAN, its full realisation faces major challenges. On the one hand, these are subjective and situational, as they concern the mutual perception of the two organizations. They are also more structural, concerning the differences in approach to the respective values and methods of each organization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Identification of causative factors and the resulting benefits regarding strategic partnerships in developing biotechnology enterprises in Poland. Design/methodology/approach: Analysis of the literature on the subject, in-depth interviews, case studies and participant observations. Findings: Effective strategic partnerships in Poland are few. They intertwine with other forms of cooperation, striving to create an innovation ecosystem that can increase the commercialisation of the work being carried out. Research limitations/implications: The biotechnology enterprise sector does not maintain a register of strategic partnerships. Enterprises do not willingly disclose newly developed technologies. The research is of a pilot nature and requires continuation. Practical implications: No register of strategic partnerships could guide the government in developing cooperation. Identify the sector's needs and measure the effectiveness of concluded partnerships (evaluation) and the directions of collaboration undertaken. Originality/value: Identification of strategic partnerships in the biotechnology industry in Poland compared to other countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Joint ventures (JVs) and cooperative business alliances have been around for over a century, initially emerging from the need for shared risk and capital. Research on JVs has evolved from focusing on motivations for formation to examining their performance and termination phases. However, the dissolution and post-termination stages of international joint ventures remain relatively underexplored despite the rising trend of alliance terminations. This study addresses these gaps by analysing the evolution of JVs, including restructuring and dissolution, through a longitudinal case study of a successful business enterprise spanning four decades that has undergone the entire cycle. It finds that changes in partner composition and equity, influenced by external factors, are integral to a JV's evolution. Additionally, trust and learning play key roles in control decisions, and terminations should be viewed as adaptations to market shifts rather than failures. The main drivers of termination often arise from changes during the JV process rather than initial formation conditions. Besides adding to the field of management education and research, the study is intended to provide practical insights for JV management as many of the JVs in developing nations, particularly South Asian countries, reach maturity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After their widespread legalization, ridehailing companies Uber and Lyft soon embarked on a new stage of their respective business models: the initiation of a wave of strategic partnerships with local and regional transit agencies across the North American continent. This article accounts for this trend by putting forward the concept of the public–private ridehail partnership (PPRP). It aims to render visible the PPRP as a variously contradictory attempt to splice Uber and Lyft's platform‐based business models with the existing social and physical realities of North American post‐suburban space. While conceived as a strategic response to pressing sub‐ and exurban problems such as low physical densities, widespread car centrism and extensive transit undersupply, the PPRP, as I argue, is neither able to adequately address these dilemmas nor to ultimately resolve them. Rather, the PPRP latches onto old—and sets in motion new—powerful dynamics of heightened uneven development and continued urban entrepreneurialism. Each of these two dynamics is explored through empirical analyses of two recent PPRPs in the Toronto city region: the Lyft–Metrolinx pilot carried out between July and December 2019; and Uber's ongoing partnership with the town of Innisfil, located about 80 km north of downtown Toronto. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In times of disruption, a company's ability to manage its supply chain effectively can determine its success or failure. This paper explores the extent to which strategic partnership development, mediated by digital transformation, enhances supply chain effectiveness during such periods. A mixed methods approach was used, involving surveys and interviews with professionals from the Saudi Arabian manufacturing sector. The study's findings reveal that digital transformation and strategic partnerships work synergistically together to enhance supply chain resilience and effectiveness, resulting in improved operational agility and adaptability. Four key enablers of supply chain digital transformation were identified: inter-business coordination, leadership, technological culture, and recruitment management. These insights contribute significantly to our understanding of how businesses can build resilient supply chains in uncertain environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human resource business partnering is an established mechanism for the advancement of strategic HR. While much research has reported on relationships between partners (HRBPs) and line managers, relationships between partners and other aspects of the HR function are less well understood, as is the interplay between HRBP‐LMP and HRBP‐HR relationships. Through the use of paradox theory and case study methodology centred on a large public sector health care authority, we found these two sets of relationships to be operating paradoxically within an operational frame of reference, thereby constraining the establishment of strategic partnering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This essay re-examines the literature on the governance of interorganizational relationships, focusing on the insights of alliance research using transaction cost economics. Despite substantial progress, challenges arise because research has not devoted attention to some mechanisms of governance (i.e., administrative controls and supporting legal institutions) compared with others (i.e., incentives). Parties can develop bespoke collaborative agreements that mix and match various mechanisms of governance along these dimensions, rather than accessing a typical bundle commonly associated with a discrete organizational form. This conclusion challenges the iconic governance continuum and surfaces new methodological opportunities for this research stream. The essay also challenges what we think we know by identifying a variety of omitted variable problems that often crop up in governance research (e.g., focusing on the cooperative context of collaboration while not attending to the competitive context, excluding critical administrative structures when studying the interplay between contracts and trust, assuming transactional attributes are exogenous rather than endogenous to a search process, failing to account for shifting institutional supports for collaboration, etc.). By clarifying what we know and do not know about alliance governance, the essay identifies some pathways for developing more reliable, cumulative knowledge on interorganizational relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to propose an accurate and efficient decision-making process adapted to the specific context of Claim Management situations, implying partners engaged in a high-involvement relationship. Design/methodology/approach: We used a three-step approach: first, an inductive phase based on 12 past case studies. Second, a theory-building phase. Third, a theory-testing phase based on an ongoing case study to observe and test our propositions. Findings: Proposal 1: Partner's Strategic Value is an influential decision parameter that must be incorporated into Claim Management-related decision-making processes in high-involvement relationships. Proposal 2: The Fast-and-Frugal Heuristic is adapted to the intense, interactive and iterative nature of the Claim Management context. Our final proposal combines these two findings, i.e. a Fast-and-Frugal Heuristic incorporating the Partner's Strategic Value and based on using decision criteria as a sequence, not simultaneously. Originality/value: In the context of high-involvement business relationships and Claim Management, this study introduces the importance of selecting an appropriate decision methodology and integrating a strategic decision parameter (Partner's Strategic Value) into an operational decision-making context. Furthermore, the principle of considering decision parameters in a specific sequence corresponds to the iterative and interactive nature of the Claim Management processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the practice of participatory design (PD) in the process of designing functionally and technically complex buildings, exemplified through the case study of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences in Pristina (Kosovo), a building that conducts and promotes scientific discoveries. Functional complexity refers to the number and diversity of functions the building needs to accommodate, while technical complexity refers to the degree of sophistication and intricacy in the building's systems and components. Participatory design can be a valuable design approach in designing complex buildings. The case of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences in Pristina (Kosovo) is an example of how PD can be transformed into an instrument of understanding the complexity of the building by promoting a user-focused design approach and helping in designing the tools of involvement depending on the goals to be achieved. Briefing workshop, design game and choice catalogue were methods that were used while a variety of tools were designed during the design stages; some were adaptations of existing PD tools and others were designed especially for this case. The participants included a diverse 'multiple community' of stakeholders, comprising end users (students, professors and administrative staff), strategic partners (client, investor, project manager and executives) as well as the technical working group (engineers and technical experts). The results demonstrate PD's transformative potential into a structured instrument for understanding, analysing and preventing mistakes in the design of complex buildings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Companies are looking for opportunities from digital technologies focused on transforming their operations and customer value proposition. IoT solution is a way to develop new services and business models (BM). Literature highlights that research is necessary to discover empirical patterns and tools for understanding and managing digital Innovation adopted by companies. Thus, this study aims to explore how organisations move into an Internet of things (IoT) environment by structuring new business models and offering innovative and sustainable services identifying mechanisms for deploying IoT BM. This research uses a multiple case study approach with three manufacturing organisations. The contribution of this study is the identification of mechanisms applied for developing an IoT business model. Companies altering model operations and reshaping customer value propositions for building new business models are facilitated by digital transformation. The findings provide mechanisms identified across cases: collaboration via strategic partnerships, incubator companies, acquisition of the startup, exchange knowledge/employee training, Co-innovation: interactions between actors to develop platforms and partnership with Technology Parks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Indo-US strategic partnership in the 21st century represents a significant realignment of regional power dynamics with far-reaching implications for Pakistan. Rooted in shared democratic values, concerns over global terrorism, and mutual apprehension about China's rise, the partnership has seen considerable advancements in defence, economic, and geopolitical cooperation. Key milestones include the US-India Nuclear Deal (2008), the Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI), and expanded military collaboration, all aimed at enhancing India's strategic capabilities and strengthening its role as a regional power. For the United States (US), this strategic partnership helps maintain its global supremacy, while for India, it reinforces its aspirations to become a dominant force both regionally and globally. The merging of US and Indian interests, particularly regarding terrorism, has further hardened their relationship, with India capitalizing on this partnership to align US support with its stance on Kashmir. These developments pose significant security challenges for Pakistan, as India's enhanced military capacity and nuclear collaboration threaten to undermine the deterrent value of Pakistan's own conventional and nuclear forces. In response, Pakistan adopts a pragmatic foreign policy, strengthening its conventional and nuclear deterrence while deepening its reliance on China to offset this strategic imbalance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the role of AI-powered self-assessment tools in enhancing innovation management for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The primary purpose is to provide SMEs with a cost-effective means to assess and develop their innovation capacities across eight key areas strategic orientation, innovation portfolio, innovation process, innovative talent and culture, innovation capabilities, technology adoption, strategic alliances, and innovation performance measurement. Utilizing a qualitative, exploratory approach, data was gathered through a Scopus database search and supplemented with relevant literature on AI and innovation management. Findings reveal that AI-driven assessments based on data analysis, pattern recognition, and predictive modeling significantly benefit SMEs by offering actionable insights and recommendations, enabling efficient decision-making, and promoting competitive dynamism. However, limitations such as data quality, algorithmic bias, and privacy concerns must be carefully managed to avoid potential risks associated with AI implementation. The study discusses the impact of AI on reducing the "innovation divide" by democratizing access to advanced innovation management tools, thus supporting SMEs in achieving strategic growth and market adaptability. This research concludes that AI-driven tools represent a valuable asset for SMEs, bridging gaps in consultancy access, and fostering economic inclusivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Egyptian Journal of Information Sciences is the property of Beni Suef University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Research Summary: The impact of multimarket contact (MMC) between partners on strategic alliance survival is unclear, even though recent studies have suggested that MMC increases the likelihood of alliance formation. Our study investigates this issue by integrating two mechanisms occurring between multimarket firms: mutual forbearance and technological resource imitation. We argue that MMC between partners deters opportunism in alliances via mutual forbearance, resulting in a positive effect on the likelihood of strategic alliance survival. We also suggest that the positive effect is weakened in two settings with higher risks of technological resource imitation: technological overlap between partners and the presence of R&D activities in an alliance. Evidence from strategic alliances in the global semiconductor industry supports these conclusions. Managerial Summary: Recent research has shown that firms encountering each other in multiple markets are more likely to form strategic alliances, but it is unclear whether these firms are likely to stick together. Our theory suggests that the threat of broad retaliation limits opportunism and increases the likelihood of alliance survival when partners encounter each other in multiple markets. Nonetheless, in settings where partners have similar technologies, or in alliances involving R&D activities, their ability and incentives to copy each other's technological resources offsets the positive effect of multimarket contact on alliance survival. We study strategic alliances in the global semiconductor industry and find evidence consistent with these arguments. Video abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study examines the response of the Quad countries (Australia, India, Japan and the United States) to People's Republic of China (PRC)'s predatory acquisition of foreign technologies. This article looks at PRC's science and technology (S&T) policy and its relation to the grand strategy of attaining global superpower status. The meteoric rise of the PRC in the last four decades has amazed many. Innovation and technological advancement and their alignment with government policies are important factors in this rise. The study notes that PRC's S&T policy involves, among others, acquiring foreign technologies through illicit means that include stealing through espionage and sophisticated cyberattacks and forcing overseas companies operating in China to share intellectual property rights with local partners. Alarmed by PRC's predatory strategy, the Quad countries have taken steps to regulate, and in some cases prohibit, the PRC's targeted foreign investments and coercive and opportunistic takeovers. The article argues that the Quad countries need to coordinate their efforts to effectively counter PRC's illicit acquisition of their technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to understand how the global supply chain in the medical device industry embraces resilience by adopting agility approach following COVID-19. Design/methodology/approach: This study adopts an interpretative approach to examine the qualitative data drawn from interviews and observation under dynamic capability theory. The data collection concerned multiple stakeholders involved in purchasing and supply management in the medical device market: manufacturing suppliers, channel partners, hospital management and end-users. The coding analysis uses an application that helps the researchers categorise the nodes and extend the existing literature. Findings: The findings show that global supply chain leaders leverage the dynamic capability by centralising the business process decision to respond to the shifting demand from the local governments to the national health ministry, shaping the partnership style from the area- to the funnel-based agreement, even though it exposes a risk of product acceptability from the end-users, encouraging the distributor to convert just-in-time approach into holding safety stock to avoid penalty from missing the procurement target even and restructuring the local partners' debts to manage long-term performance. Originality/value: This study extends the emerging literature in international business by underpinning dynamic capability theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The global environmental crisis needs fundamental changes in people's attitudes and behaviors towards sustainability. The Bodogol Nature Conservation Education Center (PPKAB) in Gunung Gede Pangrango National Park has significant potential to support environmental education but remains underutilized due to a lack of integration with school curricula. The research problem is that PPKAB’s programs are not fully integrated, leading to suboptimal use and stagnant development. Purpose: This study aims to develop a synergy between PPKAB’s environmental education programs and the Independent Curriculum for junior high schools. Design/Methodology: The Study is a quantitative and descriptive qualitative. Utilizing the Analysis of Operational Areas and Natural Tourism Objects and Attractions (ADO- ODTWA) method, and involving ten including academics, business, community, government and media, the study assessed the feasibility and developed a synergy matrix. Findings/Result: The findings indicated a feasibility score of 76,3%, suggesting suitability for developing educational programs. The research recommends developing two environmental education synergy programs, namely School Visit Synergy and School Visits, to complement the independent curriculum at junior high school (SMP). Conclusion: As a conclusion, it is highly advised integrating PPKAB’s programs with school curricula to improve environmental education quality at the junior high level. This research produced significant results in environmental education. Originality/Value (State of the art): The added value of this research is that it emphasizes the business potential of ecotourism in supporting local economies and conservation efforts through strategic partnerships and innovative program development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This work aims to explore the effects of (equity and non-equity) strategic alliances between banks and FinTechs on FinTechs' online visibility. Design/methodology/approach: For a sample of 124 Italian FinTechs, the authors measured online visibility through their website ranking (Google PageRank) and website traffic (Google Trends). Consistent to the historical depth of these measures, the authors separately investigated the effect of equity and non-equity (contractual) agreements on online visibility by means of ordinal logistic regressions and diff-in-diff analysis. Findings: Strategic alliances with banks enhance FinTechs' online visibility. Although both equity and contractual agreements positively influence the popularity of FinTechs' website achieved through the activity of internal and external online content creators (websites ranking), only equity agreements are effective in attracting Internet users (website traffic). Practical implications: When deciding to interact with banks, FinTechs' managers should consider that equity agreements may be a powerful strategic choice for enlarging the customer base and boosting visibility of FinTechs. Social implications: Fostering strategic alliances between banks and FinTechs contributes to FinTechs' growth, generating virtuous mechanisms of innovation, financial inclusion and better allocative efficiency of the financial system. Originality/value: This work expands marketing knowledge and literature regarding online visibility determinants, by investigating the benefits of strategic alliances and cooperation in the market, while providing an empirical strategy replicable by future marketing studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study how proprietary information flows in strategic alliances facilitate banks' information collection in private debt markets. We argue that lenders that have previously worked with a borrower's alliance partners have an information advantage and show that firms entering a strategic alliance receive a lower interest spread on loans from banks that have previously lent to their strategic partners than loans from other banks. Cross-sectional tests on alliances' economic importance and participants' information environment support our hypothesis that the loan price effect is driven by reduced information asymmetry between borrowers and their partners' relationship banks. Last, we find borrowers are more likely to obtain debt financing from alliance-related banks than from other banks. Overall, our findings are consistent with lenders that have previously worked with an alliance counterparty possessing debt contracting-relevant information about the soft nature of alliance value and the partners' commitment to alliances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research examines Indonesia's evolving international relations, especially in the wake of its role as a G20 summit host, and assesses the alignment of its legislative initiatives with the global sustainable development goals (SDGs). The data highlights an increased international interest in Indonesia subsequent to the G20 summit, emphasizing the advantages associated with arranging such prominent global events. These mega-events amplify Indonesia's global presence, fortify its international alliances, and create prospects for economic expansion. A comparison of Indonesia's 2020-2023 legislative priorities against the G20's 2023 action plan reveals distinct variances in SDG alignment. While Indonesia predominantly emphasizes Life On Land (SDG 15) and Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8), the G20 extends greater focus to SDG 8, Quality Education (SDG 4), and Gender Equality (SDG 5) - an area currently absent from Indonesia's legislative spotlight. The study suggests that Indonesia, while remaining adjusted to its crucial domestic needs, should consider strategic alignment with SDGs that feature prominently on the global stage. Such synchronization not only cultivates international partnerships and draws in foreign investments but also propels comprehensive national advancement. In essence, with its unique standing as the only Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) G20 member, Indonesia wields a dual opportunity: to influence and be influenced in the international arena. The nation's future course should therefore transition from mere response to global trends towards actively molding them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study a publicly traded firm that cares about its short-term stock market performance while collaborating with a privately owned firm in a business alliance. The firms each undertake a relation-specific investment and then bargain over the allocation of the joint surplus generated by the alliance. The public firm's myopic market concerns affect both the total size of the surplus and how the firms divide the surplus. While the public firm always becomes more aggressive and obtains more of the surplus, the total size of the surplus may become larger or smaller, due to the effect of myopic market concerns on the firms' investment incentives. We establish conditions under which the investment and the value of each firm increase or decrease with market concerns. The market concerns could mitigate or exacerbate the hold-up problem between the two firms and thus could either benefit or harm the whole business alliance. We also study two extensions with (i) the two investments being substitutes instead of complements and (ii) both firms being publicly listed. In both cases, the insights from our main model still hold. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The causal attribution of performance has not been explicitly considered in the performance feedback literature, despite its potential value in learning from prior performance. In this study, we develop a theory concerning the attribution in learning from performance feedback and explore how the attribution of past alliance performance can influence a firm's choice between future acquisitions and alliances. We also examine the mechanisms by which attribution manifests by exploring how three theoretical factors, known to influence attribution, can moderate the relationship—the diffusion of responsibility, the perceived capability of partners, and the ambiguity of performance information. We find strong evidence supporting our predictions. This study contributes to the performance feedback literature by integrating attribution with performance feedback theory. It also extends research on corporate strategy by providing a behavioral account of the choice between acquisitions and alliances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate how bankers use information from lending relationships to help borrowers find partners for strategic alliances. Firms that have borrowed from the same banker or share an indirect connection through a network of bankers are significantly more likely to enter an alliance. Consistent with bankers overcoming informational frictions, their ability to facilitate alliances decreases with banker-network distance, and is stronger for opaque borrowers. Firms connected to more potential partners via banker networks enter more alliances. These alliances are associated with positive announcement returns, and brokering banks are more likely to receive future underwriting mandates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We provide novel evidence showing that shareholder litigation risk influences firms' choices of external growth strategies. Using staggered adoption of universal demand (UD) laws, we find that firms under the threat of litigation tend to choose corporate alliances over mergers and acquisitions (M&As). This finding supports the view that alliances offer a low-risk and low-cost alternative to M&As for firms facing litigation risk. Moreover, alliance performance improves after the passage of UD laws, suggesting that firms can make better deal selections under reduced litigation threats. Overall, we establish an unexplored link between litigation risk and firms' choices of boundary-expanding transactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Against a backdrop of limited research focusing on dark-side characteristics in alliances, the authors argue that Machiavellianism in an alliance influences strategies pertaining to gaining new knowledge and using power to achieve better performance effectiveness. They develop a model using theories-in-use procedures and drawing from both Machiavellian intelligence and achievement goal perspectives, which they test in a quasi-longitudinal study of 199 marketing alliances. The results suggest that Machiavellianism relates negatively to collaborative learning and positively to learning anxiety and use of power. The findings also indicate that collaborative learning enhances performance, whereas learning anxiety and use of power result in underperformance. Collaborative learning, learning anxiety, and use of power fully mediate Machiavellianism's impact on performance. Finally, Machiavellianism's relationships with collaborative learning and learning anxiety are moderated positively and negatively, respectively, by partners' collaborative history. This evidence provides managers with a more in-depth understanding about the nature, functioning, and performance relevance of Machiavellianism in alliance partnerships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the impact of Digital Financial Inclusion (DFI) on the profitability of banks in developing countries, by constructing a novel comprehensive DFI index and employing dynamic panel analysis. Design/Methods/Approach: The research involves a sample of 111 banks across nine developing nations from 2016 to 2020. A new DFI index was constructed to encapsulate both the access and usage dimensions of DFI, along with demographic and geographical considerations, using Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The empirical framework adopted a dynamic panel model, applying two-step system Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) estimators to analyze the data. Findings: The findings indicate a positive and significant relationship between DFI and bank profitability. This relationship highlights the beneficial impacts of DFI on the financial performance of banks within the studied contexts. Originality/Value: This research broadens the current understanding of Digital Financial Inclusion (DFI) by focusing on its impacts not only on bank stability but also on profitability and efficiency, areas not extensively covered by prior studies. Additionally, it contributes to the literature by integrating demographic and geographical dimensions into the construction of a comprehensive DFI index. This approach provides a nuanced understanding of DFI's effects on bank profitability and represents a significant deviation from traditional studies that focus mainly on access and usage. Practical/Policy implication: Based on the findings, it is recommended that bank managers and financial service providers establish strategic partnerships to strengthen the integration of traditional banking with digital financial services, thereby boosting bank profitability. Regulators must update policies to foster an environment that supports the integration of digital innovations, while ensuring robust consumer protection and data privacy standards. Continuous investment in digital infrastructure and financial literacy is crucial, alongside rigorous policy monitoring and adaptation, to maintain a regulatory framework that promotes the sustainable expansion of DFI and addresses emerging security challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of International Business Studies is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Despite the fact that safe and drinkable water is a basic necessity for human survival, there are still millions of people who lack access to this water. Today Indian companies are advocating for sustainable and ethical approaches to water resource management through their corporate social responsibility initiatives. Research has shown that corporate social responsibility initiatives have directly led to the global mobilization of millions of individuals as water activists. Further more companies are adopting modern technologies to reduce water waste and boost operational effectiveness. These indicate that corporate social responsibility encompasses not only moral considerations but also financial and environmental considerations. Corporate social responsibility efforts are perceived by many firms as excessively costly. However, companies can find ways to cut expenses by forming strategic partnerships and leveraging technological improvements. One such strategy is to use these collaborations to promote water conservation and the upkeep of cleanliness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Commercial banks in Kenya operate in quite dynamic financial market environment and continue to experience stiff competition in the provision of financial services. The liberation of the financial markets has resulted into an upsurge in the number of institutions providing financial products and services, threatening the future of Kenyan commercial banks. This study aimed at determining the effect of strategic alliances on competitive advantage of commercial banks in Kenya. The objectives were to determine effect of joint ventures, equity alliances, and joint research and development on the competitiveness of Kenyan banks where Resource Based View, competitive advantage, and resource dependence theories were used. Causal research design was adopted where all the 42 Kenyan commercial banks formed the target population. Census survey sampling design was applied and semi-structured questionnaire used. Using descriptive and inferential statistics analysis, the study found that joint venture (β=0.435, p=0.000) equity alliances (β=0.227, p=0.018), and joint research and development (β=0.0.612, p=0.000) had positive significant effects on competitive advantage. With a coefficient of determination (R-square) of 68.9% and overall p-value of 0.000, the study concluded strategic alliances have a statistical significant effect on competitive advantage. The study recommends that managements of commercial banks should fast-truck implementation of such alliances to for improved competitiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of GV-executivo is the property of Fundacao Getulio Vargas and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This article is an editorial from the Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing, discussing the need for new approaches to business network development in the face of global disruptions. The editorial introduces a special section of the journal that includes five papers exploring different aspects of business network development. The papers cover topics such as organizational networking processes in emerging markets, the role of guanxi networking in export performance, the influence of informal networking on B2B relational outcomes, the drivers of geographical indication food supply chain networks, and the concept of agency in business networks. The editorial also highlights potential future research directions in the field of business network development. [Extracted from the article]

This study aims to investigate the impact of R&D intensity on operational efficiency and strategic alliances in medium-sized companies. Specifically, it seeks to understand how these variables interact to influence a firm's commitment to research and development activities, ultimately affecting their innovation and market performance. A cross-sectional design was employed, with a sample of 230 participants drawn from medium-sized companies. The sample size was determined using the Morgan and Krejcie table. Data were collected through structured questionnaires assessing R&D intensity, operational efficiency, and strategic alliances. Pearson correlation analysis was conducted to examine the relationships between the dependent variable (R&D intensity) and each independent variable (operational efficiency and strategic alliances). Linear regression analysis was performed to explore the combined effect of the independent variables on R&D intensity. All analyses were conducted using SPSS version 27. Pearson correlation coefficients indicated significant positive relationships between R&D intensity and operational efficiency (r = 0.53, p = 0.001), and between R&D intensity and strategic alliances (r = 0.47, p = 0.002). The regression analysis showed that operational efficiency and strategic alliances together explain 40% of the variance in R&D intensity (R² = 0.40, F(2, 227) = 19.25, p = 0.000). Multivariate regression results confirmed that both operational efficiency (B = 0.07, β = 0.42, p = 0.001) and strategic alliances (B = 1.10, β = 0.35, p = 0.000) are significant predictors of R&D intensity. The study concludes that operational efficiency and strategic alliances significantly enhance R&D intensity in medium-sized companies. These findings suggest that improving operational processes and fostering strategic partnerships are critical for increasing a firm's investment in research and development. The results are consistent with previous research and provide valuable insights for both academia and industry practitioners. Future research should consider longitudinal designs and explore additional variables to further understand these relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Technology transfer (TT) is a necessary, yet complex process to convey and disseminate scientific knowledge to the commercial sector. However, multiple barriers in TT can impede commercialization and innovative progress. To cultivate a deeper understanding, we conducted five interviews with strategic, elite leaders in different areas of TT in the United States. Experts shared their perspectives on the current state of TT, what needs improvement, and potential solutions to enhance the TT landscape, with a focus on biotechnology and medical devices. The formation of strongmanagement teams, a comprehension of the regulatory, reimbursement, and funding pathways and policies, and thorough market assessments were noted as key aspects for venture success. Collaboration with Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs), industry experts, and strategic partners are also essential to support academic innovators and guide them throughout the complex commercialization process. There is agreement that a venture should have a defined vision and clear goals with a robust business case for the innovation; early involvement of TTOs is essential. Comprehension of the complexities and key facets of TT, while also streamlining the process, will better position biomedical innovators for success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Youth homelessness represents a persistent and significant challenge for service sectors with limited best practice guidance. Housing supports, in particular, are widely deployed, with the practice-oriented literature providing little detail regarding service design beyond broad domains such as employment support and life skills coaching. The present multiple case study investigation was designed to develop a preliminary understanding of the guiding principles that attend the development of interventions that support youth exiting homelessness in the Canadian context. These case studies were conducted with a diverse group of five organizations recognized as sector leaders, with findings considered in light of practice standards from the better-established adult housing literature. Key findings with respect to service models included the strategies used to provide flexible, culturally responsive, tailored services with an emphasis on specialist support. Implementation factors included the navigation of strategic partnerships, the use of data in capacity-building, and the benefits and drawbacks of larger, centralized service environments versus smaller, dispersed environments. Youth-specific considerations in housing stabilization models are highlighted. This work contributes to a growing body of literature that seeks to articulate best practices in the effort to address and prevent youth homelessness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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