Learning and Knowledge Transfer in Strategic Alliances: A Social Exchange View

Muthusamy, Senthil  Kumar; White, Margaret

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Learning and Knowledge Transfer in Strategic Alliances: A Social Exchange View

Organization Studies, Vol. 26, No. 3, pp. 415-441, 2005

28 Pages Posted: 20 Nov 2006 Last revised: 15 Jun 2014

See all articles by Senthil Kumar Muthusamy

Senthil Kumar Muthusamy

Slippery Rock University - Department of Management and Marketing

Margaret White

Oklahoma State University - Tulsa

Date Written: 2005

Abstract

Although social interactions and exchanges between partners are emphasized as imperative for alliance success, comprehensive examination of how social exchanges facilitate learning and knowledge transfer in strategic alliances is lacking. Drawing on social exchange theory, we examined the effects of social exchange processes between alliance partners on the extent of learning and knowledge transfer in a strategic alliance. An empirical examination of data collected from alliance managers of 144 strategic alliances revealed that social exchanges such as reciprocal commitment, trust, and mutual influence between partners are positively related to learning and knowledge transfer in strategic alliances.

Keywords: Strategic alliances, interfirm learning, social exchange theory, trust, emprical studies

JEL Classification: L00, M00

Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation

Muthusamy, Senthil Kumar and White, Margaret, Learning and Knowledge Transfer in Strategic Alliances: A Social Exchange View (2005). Organization Studies, Vol. 26, No. 3, pp. 415-441, 2005, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=710163