Question: (1) Over the past decade, the landscape of the international business environment has undergone substantial change. International strategic alliances (ISAs) and other inter-firm collaborative strategies have permeated global trade. With increasing frequency, international strategic alliances are being forged between firms. Instead of competing in an adversarial manner, firms are now focusing on "collaborating with their competitors."
(a) Describe why are ISAs being formed and why is this major paradigm shift occurring from competing against to cooperating with competitors?
(b) Identify, describe and explain in substantive detail the concept/theory, precepts, and building blocks of ISAs and reasons for building ISAs.
(c) Identify the types and characteristics of ISAs in substantive detail.
(d) Identify in SUBSTANTIVE DETAIL the ADVANTAGES and DISADVANTAGES of forming international strategic alliances?
(e) "All joint ventures are strategic alliances, but not all strategic alliances are joint ventures." Do you agree or disagree with this statement. Either way, provide a DETAILED explanation in defense of your position.
(Important note for q1a-e: In answering these questions, do not only merely restate points discussed in the lecture on these topics. Please conduct research and use external sources of information to additional explanations for your answer, but be sure to cite all your sources of information after each answer.)