Rationale and Benefits Associated with International Alliances
Publication: Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 121, Issue 1
Abstract
The concept of a global economy is changing the traditional perceptions of national borders. As national borders become more flexible, competition for construction projects will continue in increase. In addition, dwindling resources have caused governments to evaluate many nontraditional approaches to generate the needed revenue and expertise to undertake public construction projects. The construction industry, faced with the continuing move toward a global marketplace, must examine the possible competitive advantages offered by forming international alliances. Alliances will play an important role in determining the future growth of many companies. It is imperative to begin planning now for something we consider inevitable. The writers were the primary participants in a Construction Industry Institute sponsored research project to study the impact of forming alliances as a way to enhance the competitiveness of U.S. construction firms. Using data collected from interviews with 30 international construction industry executives during that study, this paper discusses why alliances are formed and the benefits that can be gained from them.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
References
1.
“All-purpose alliances.” (1988). Mergers and acquisitions . 23(3), 73.
2.
Brady, R., and Boyle, R.(1990). “Combustion engineering's dislocated joint venture.”Business Week, 181(3184), 49–50.
3.
“Builders take their partners for Europe.” (1989). The Economist, 309(7576), 65–66.
4.
“China to import more technology, know how.” (1984). Oil & Gas J., 82(48), 58–59.
5.
Corcoran, E.(1989). “An alliance for progress.”Scientific Am., 260(4), 78–79.
6.
Forgaard, E. “The global construction industry.”Independent Study Rep. CVEN 5840, Hoevik, Norway.
7.
Freund, E. C.(1990). “US construction and practice in Europe.”The Construction Specifier, 43(9), 69–82.
8.
Goldbaum, E.(1988). “New alliances share the work and the rewards.”Chemical Week, 143(23), 36–40.
9.
Goldstein, G.(1991). “Are U.S. firms handicapped in winning foreign jobs?”Civ. Engrg., 61(10), 41–45.
10.
Gross, J. G., and Krammer, R. G.(1990). “Developing a response to EC '92.”The Constr. Specifier, 43(9), 92–101.
11.
Gross, T. H.(1989). “American firms blaze the hottest frontier.”Mgmt. Rev., 78(9), 24–29.
12.
Hamel, G., Doz, Y. L., and Prahalad, C. K.(1989). “Collaborate with your competitors—and win.”Harvard Business Rev., 67(1), 133–139.
13.
Harrigan, K. R.(1988). “Strategic alliances and partner asymmetries.”Mgmt. Int. Rev., Gabler Publishers, Weisbaden, Germany, 28, 53–71.
14.
Harrigan, K. R.(1987). “Strategic alliances: their new role in global competition.”The Columbia J. World Business, 22(2), 67–69.
15.
Heide, J. B., and John, G.(1990). “Alliances in industrial purchasing: the determinants of joint action in buyer-supplier relationships.”J. Marketing Res., 27(1), 24–36.
16.
Hills, J. W., and Riggs, L. S.(1991). “Implications for U.S. construction companies in 1992 European community.”J. Constr. Engrg. and Mgmt., 117(4), 773–790.
17.
“Japan's contractors penetrate U.S.” (1984). Engrg. News-Record, 213(12), 29–30.
18.
Kanter, R. M.(1990). “When giants learn cooperative strategies.”Plng. Rev., 18(Jan.-Feb.), 18(1), 15–22.
19.
Karatsu, H.(1989). “An outside look at America and its decline.”PHP Intersect, 5(6), 9–15.
20.
Korbin, S. J.(1988). “Trends in ownerships of American manufacturing subsidiaries in developing countries: an inter-industry analysis.”Mgmt. Int. Rev., Gabler Publishers, Weisbaden, Germany, 28, 73–83.
21.
Korman, R.(1990). “Alliances win protections for subs.”Engrg. News-Record, 224(17), 12–13.
22.
Kraar, L.(1991). “The growing power of Asia.”Fortune, 124(8), 118–165.
23.
Krizan, W. G.(1987). “Dresser, Komatsu strike deal.”Engineering News-Record, 218(13), 7.
24.
McManamy, R.(1990). “Firms breaking ground in the global village.”Engrg. News-Record, 224(21), 81–82.
25.
Merrifield, B.(1989). “Strategic alliances in the global marketplace.”Res. Technol. Mgmt., 32(1), 15–20.
26.
Moavenzadeh, F.(1989). “They're coming to America.”Civ. Engrg., 59(11), 51–54.
27.
Reina, P., and Hanan, R.(1990). “Designers seek the global edge.”Engrg. News-Record, 225(5), 46–61.
28.
Reina, P., and Hanan, R.(1990). “Foreign contracts stay alive as markets take on a new look.”Engrg. News-Record, 225(1), 29–48, 93, 96–97.
29.
Revesz, T. R., and Cauley de De La Sierra, M.(1987). “Competitive alliances: forging ties abroad.”Mgmt. Rev., 76(3), 57–59.
30.
Rice, H. L., and Darnell, S. P.(1990). “European entry into the U.S. construction market.”The Constr. Specifier, 43(9), 117–122.
31.
“Russia moves toward closer co-operation.” (1989). Process Engrg., 70(6), 31.
32.
Schriener, J.(1989). “The world is shrinking.”Engrg. News-Record, 223(11), 14.
33.
“TAC ties knot with Takenaka.” (1989). Engrg. News-Record, 222(1), 13–14.
34.
“U.K. protectionism.” (1985). Engrg. News-Record, 214(22), 11–12.
35.
Watkins, B. “A constructive view of the future.”Accountancy, 103(1145), 12–13.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 121 • Issue 1 • March 1995
Pages: 100 - 111
Copyright
Copyright © 1995 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Published online: Mar 1, 1995
Published in print: Mar 1995
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.