ABSTRACT
Inter-firm agreements have experienced a rapid rate of growth over the last decade. Alliances in themselves are not a new phenomenon and have long been a common feature of firms dealings with their competitive environment. However, whereas in the past such relationships were mainly one-way linkages involving the provision of a given service at a given price, such as licensing or sub-contracting, two modes of interaction are emerging into genuine partnerships in which the two participants contribute through the mobilization of their own specific skills and assets. 2
