R&D ALLIANCE PARTNER ATTRIBUTES AND INNOVATION PERFORMANCE: A FUZZY SET QUALITATIVE COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

Because R&D alliances are important means for fostering firm innovation performance, research has investigated their key drivers. However, multiple configurations of R&D alliance drivers may lead to firm innovation performance. Drawing upon the knowledge-based view of alliances, we investigate configurations of R&D alliance factors leading to high innovation performance in allied firms by focusing on partner attributes (i.e., technological relatedness, competitive overlap, experience, relative size). Then, using a fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis, we dissect the configurations of these factors in 27 R&D alliances formed by 54 telecom firms worldwide. We find that good R&D alliance partners are technologically related competitors with no experience in forming R&D alliances. Alternatively, competitors can achieve high innovation performance when they have experience in doing R&D alliances and are not technologically related. Drawing on these findings, we submit a set of propositions with relevant implications for the knowledge-based view of alliances and coopetition research.