ABSTRACT
This conclusion presents some closing thoughts on the concepts covered in the preceding chapters of this book. The book suggests that alliances can be purposively and almost scientifically designed and managed to achieve success. By applying the alliance development framework, managers will be able to organize their alliance decision making systematically. The book deals with a substantial number of contingencies, but no list can be exhaustive. It details the science of alliance management, followed by a discussion of its art. The book outlines several future themes that we expect to become salient to the field of strategic alliance management. It provides a coherent and comprehensive understanding of strategic alliance management. A scientific approach to strategic alliance management entails the development of a coherent set of theories that inform objective and systematic decision making. The foundation for the claim that strategic alliance management constitutes an art that is informed by science is the recognition of alliances as inherently complex organizational arrangements.
