Description
To innovate today, there's no escaping the fact that firms will have to learn how to locate and extract valuable knowledge from beyond the boundaries of their own firm, sector or industry. But how do you venture outside your firm's boundaries, perhaps even allying with rivals, without giving away your own competitive advantage? Licensing knowledge through strategic alliances is one way to do it. But the author sees at least three necessary preconditions for making such arrangements work. Licensing may avoid some of the downsides of M&As, but you need to protect yourself from getting taken advantage of by partners. In a world of disruption, R&D alliances may hold the key to long-term growth and survival.