Purpose

Literature on strategic alliances (SAs) is large, diverse and growing. It needs synthesis and analysis for application and further research. Authors have also underlined the need for studies covering differences in structuring, situational application and management of alliances. This systematic literature review aims to cover dyadic, network and ecosystem (DNE) alliances with theory, context, characteristics and methodology (TCCM) methodology covering the life cycle stages of an alliance (pre-formation, formation and management) to uncover insights which inform practice and guide further research on this important subject.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper follows systematic literature review (SLR) methodology for research design and article selection and TCCM methodology for analysis. It also analyses the literature on DNE alliances using a nine-box matrix with DNE alliance forming one axis and three alliance lifecycle stages of pre-formation (alliance objectives), formation (alliance design and operationalisation) and post formation (alliance management) stages along the other axis.

Findings

Analysis indicates focus on individual firms and their own customer value proposition (CVP) in the dyadic and network alliances. Industries with fast-paced technological change benefit from loosely coupled alliances. Social context and social exchanges leading to collaboration and collective strengths mark network alliances, with a focus on knowledge creation and dissemination. Ecosystems focus on a collective CVP, which guides alliance behaviour. Ecosystem leadership guides this purpose through governance for sustained competitiveness. Negative consequences (dark side) of alliances can be mitigated by careful design, formation and management of DNE alliances.

Research limitations/implications

While literature has focussed on static view of alliances in their industry or social context, this literature review analyses alliances along the dyadic, network and ecosystem typology, thus providing a new lens to study alliances. The review also recognises that alliances evolve over their life-cycle stages and observes their progression through their lifecycle stages aids for fuller comprehension of their behaviour. Areas for future research in structuring, leadership, value co-creation and technological change set an agenda for future research.

Practical implications

Dynamic managerial capabilities are drivers of alliance performance. The analysis using the nine-box matrix allows managers to better appreciate the options that exist and the consequences of their actions. Situating their alliance in the appropriate box can allow managers better plan, operationalise and manage their own alliances.

Originality/value

This systematic review compares and contrasts DNE alliances in extant literature and through their lifecycle stages. Insights from TCCM analysis and the nine-box matrix provide unique contribution to both theory and practice in this large and growing domain.

中文翻译：

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双元、网络和生态系统联盟：系统的文献回顾和研究议程

目的

关于战略联盟 (SA) 的文献数量庞大、种类繁多且不断增长。它需要综合和分析才能应用和进一步研究。作者还强调需要研究涵盖联盟的结构、情境应用和管理方面的差异。这篇系统的文献综述旨在涵盖二元、网络和生态系统 (DNE) 联盟，其理论、背景、特征和方法论 (TCCM) 方法涵盖联盟的生命周期阶段（预形成、形成和管理），以揭示能够提供信息的见解实践并指导对这一重要课题的进一步研究。

设计/方法/途径

本文遵循系统文献综述 (SLR) 方法进行研究设计和文章选择，并采用 TCCM 方法进行分析。它还使用九框矩阵分析了关于 DNE 联盟的文献，其中 DNE 联盟形成一个轴和三个联盟生命周期阶段，即形成前（联盟目标）、形成（联盟设计和运营）和形成后（联盟管理）阶段另一个轴。

发现

分析表明，在二元联盟和网络联盟中，重点是个别公司及其自己的客户价值主张 (CVP)。具有快节奏技术变革的行业受益于松散耦合的联盟。导致合作和集体力量的社会背景和社会交流标志着网络联盟，重点是知识的创造和传播。生态系统专注于指导联盟行为的集体 CVP。生态系统领导力通过持续竞争力的治理来指导这一目标。通过精心设计、组建和管理 DNE 联盟，可以减轻联盟的负面影响（阴暗面）。

研究局限性/影响

虽然文献侧重于联盟在其行业或社会背景下的静态观点，但这篇文献综述沿着二元、网络和生态系统类型学分析了联盟，从而为研究联盟提供了一个新的视角。该审查还认识到，联盟在其生命周期阶段不断发展，并通过其生命周期阶段观察他们的进展有助于更全面地理解他们的行为。未来在结构化、领导力、价值共创和技术变革方面的研究领域为未来的研究设定了议程。

实际影响

动态管理能力是联盟绩效的驱动因素。使用九格矩阵进行的分析使管理人员能够更好地了解现有的选择及其行动的后果。将他们的联盟置于适当的方框内可以让管理者更好地规划、运作和管理他们自己的联盟​​。

原创性/价值

本系统综述比较和对比了现有文献中的 DNE 联盟及其生命周期阶段。TCCM 分析和九格矩阵的见解为这个庞大且不断发展的领域的理论和实践提供了独特的贡献。