Collaboration in meta-organizations: research issues and challenges

Abstract

Alliances and other types of inter-firm relationships facilitate knowledge transfer and generate innovation that is fast and relatively inexpensive-factors that can often spell the difference between successful products and also-rans in the marketplace. In this paper, we argue that alliances need to be conceptualized as meta-organizations that transcend the structures and operational elements of traditional organizations. The implications of strategically managing such innovation in contexts of competition and collaboration, and measuring the results of such management are discussed.