A large number of firms today engage in cooperative strategies. A cooperative strategy is an attempt by a firm to realize its objectives through cooperation with other firms, in strategic alliances and partnerships (typically joint ventures), rather than through competition with them. In the global economy, many of these strategic alliances are international in scope. A cooperative strategy can offer significant advantages for companies that are lacking in particular competencies, knowledge or resources, enabling them to secure these through links to other companies possessing complementary skills or assets. It may also offer easier access to new markets, and opportunities for mutual synergy and learning. Cooperative strategies are proving to be particularly important in facilitating international expansion. This module focuses on the benefits that can be gained through cooperation and how to manage the cooperation so as to realize them.

By the end of the module the student should be able to:

• demonstrate comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the role of cooperative strategy, and its expression through international strategic alliances, in the modern business context;
• identify and critique perspectives from different disciplines that contribute to an understanding of cooperative strategy and strategic alliances;
• explain and appraise the considerations involved in establishing alliances, selecting partners and choosing an alliance form;
• demonstrate a critical awareness of issues arising in the management of strategic alliances, with special reference to cross-border alliances;
• critically evaluate factors impacting on the achievement of alliance objectives (including learning) and on how they may evolve over time.