A longitudinal analysis of the choice between technology-based strategic alliances and acquisitions in high-tech industries : the case of the ASIC industry

Firms producing application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) have established numerous technology based strategic alliances (SAs) and were involved in merger and acquisition activities (M&As) to enhance their competitive position by improving their learning capabilities and the timely access to technological knowledge that is otherwise unavailable. There exist broad economic and managerial strands of literature about SAs and M&As, but they tell us virtually nothing about the strategic choice of firms between technology based SAs and M&As. This article intends to fill this void. It examines the circumstances in which ASIC-producers choose for SAs or M&As and it analyses how prior SAs influence this choice. Finally, implications for innovation management in high-tech industries are examined.