ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an overview of theoretical challenges and discusses the major and variable properties of alliances as a unique form of cooperation, perhaps with a root in existing associations, perhaps on the way to the formation of new associations. It shows that these entities tend to offer some advantages to business or, at least, to founder firms and associations and, thus, add to the landscape of organized business. There is clearly much cooperation in the global business community between firms in and across different industries, and also between associations that find common ground and liaise in new ways. Alliances sustain various types of relations with the old associations, whether related or unrelated in their formative stage. In many cases, members of alliances come from the very same industry where they have experienced rather similar challenges and feel the same need for action. A major issue in the formation of alliances concerns the lifetime of the cooperation.
