| The purpose of this study was to develop and empirically test an integrative conceptual model of cross-border strategic alliance choice. Previous studies have tended to emphasize such factors as transaction costs, political risk, and cross-cultural differences as the determinants of choice of cross-border alliance. Recent strategy research has suggested the importance of strategic intent in determining choice of cross-border alliance modes. Using select U.S. multinational companies, this study sought to investigate the role of strategic intent and risk in accounting for choice of strategic alliances within an integrative framework.; Three research questions were addressed. First, to what extent does risk, reflecting environmental determinism, account for cross-border alliance choice? Second, to what extent does strategic intent account for cross-border alliance choice? Finally, to what extent do risk and strategic intent jointly account for cross-border alliance choice?; Results of the Kruskal-Wallis analysis of variance and discriminant analysis provide support for the hypothesis that strategic intent, reflective of technological and marketing thrust, significantly accounts for differences in alliance mode choices. Partial support was provided for the importance of the interaction of risk and strategic intent in predicting alliance choice. However, risk (reflecting transaction and country risk factors) was not found to be significant in determining alliance choice. |
