Technology alliances and networks: an external link to research capability

This research examines whether the level of research capability has a moderating effect on the performance impact of a firm's alliance structure in terms of number of technology partners and centrality of the firm. Interviews were also conducted with management executives and engineers to investigate the underlying motivations of technology alliances. While the statistical findings show that increasing research capability enhances the benefits of information access via centrality in the collaboration network, our qualitative data provide support that the role of good engineers as technology gatekeepers will help to determine the success of leveraging partners' resources.