Complexity, context and governance in biotechnology alliances

This study explores the effect of coordination needs on alliance governance. We examine coordination needs that arise as a consequence of the characteristics and the context of the alliance. We posit that alliance characteristics and contextual factors influence alliance form and equity investment levels. We evaluate the effects of the complexity of technology transfer and strategic complexity of the alliance. We also study contextual factors, represented by the distance between the intellectual property protection regimes of the home countries of the participants, the focal firm's prior presence in the alliance country and its primary expertise in the industry. We offer contrasting predictions based on appropriation and coordination perspectives. Our results demonstrate support for a dominant coordination perspective, with alliance characteristics and some contextual factors influencing alliance form. Appropriation concerns play a weaker role and receive less support.