Psychosocial Aspects of the Performance of Strategic Alliances: A Critical Review of the Literature - I

This paper presents a critical review of the strategic alliance literature, with an emphasis onthe psychosocial factors involved in strategic alliances’ performance. I argue that these have beenneglected in favor of macro and meso-level theories, which tend to ignore performance-effects ofmicro-level behavioral factors. The schools of thought and methodologies that have shaped thedevelopment of the strategic alliance literature are discussed along with the key success factors thathave been related to strategic alliances’ performance. In conclusion, I put forth a set ofrecommendations for future research.