Knowledge Development, Social Capital and Alliance Learning
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to elucidate information on what creates the different types of knowledge.Design/methodology/approach – In the conceptual model it is argued that the concept of social capital provides an interesting view on the creation of market‐specific and firm‐specific knowledge.Findings – The major finding from the paper is that knowledge is an important by‐product of an alliance forming process, a process commonly termed as alliance learning.Research limitations/implications – Both market‐specific and firm‐specific knowledge have implications on two main types of alliance learning, that of mutual and non‐mutual learning.Practical implications – Alliance managers need to be aware that knowledge is a key driver as well as a beneficial outcome in the formation of alliances.Originality/value – This paper examines how the different types of knowledge evolve and how these different types of knowledge impact upon alliance learning.