The development of key partnerships between innovative small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and larger organizations is a primary strategic consideration. The level of risk involved can often mean that smaller firms are placed in highly vulnerable positions when attempting to develop a product, process or service.• Risk may be related to a wide range of influences including asymmetric resource allocation, the perception and framing of problems and the building of trust and commitment. The smaller organization may also have concerns that a larger partner would absorb their intellectual property.• Key considerations in determining perceived risk appear to be related to the shadow of the future, i.e. the balance of probabilities concerning investment and relative return combined with future expectations regarding any situation and its potential outcomes. The experience and individual agendas of managers and their influence on risk perception within such alliances are examined.• Future research using longitudinal studies to examine risk perception and evaluation in relation to strategic decision making is required.

No abstract

This paper presents a series of data examining the pattern of activity of the UK, in terms of equity joint ventures (EJV) formation, with partners in Western Europe, Scandinavia, USA and Japan and within technological industries. The data set consists of 1,415 equity joint ventures (EJVs) formed between 1945-1989. The pattern of activity is examined over time, in terms of industry and geographical distribution. The data presented also includes information concerning domestic EJV formation for each of the countries studied which previous research has not considered. The paper also comments on the need to focus on "soft" vs "hard" issues in examining the context and performance outcomes of international strategic alliances and equity joint ventures (EJVs) and avenues for future research.

No abstract