s globalization intensifies and technological change accelerates, firms are increasingly exposed to complex and uncertain environments. In response, strategic alliances have emerged as a central means of achieving and sustaining competitive advantage....
s globalization intensifies and technological change accelerates, firms are increasingly exposed to complex and uncertain environments. In response, strategic alliances have emerged as a central means of achieving and sustaining competitive advantage. Over the past two decades, research has expanded significantly around alliance capability—the organizational ability to manage alliances effectively—primarily emphasizing experiential learning and knowledge accumulation. However, scholarly synthesis of alliance capability research within the Korean context remains notably scarce.
This study conducts a systematic review of twelve peer-reviewed articles on alliance capability published in major Korean academic journals up to 2024. Our analysis identifies several conceptual and methodological shortcomings. Specifically, we find inconsistent and interchangeable usage of key constructs such as alliance capability, alliance competence, and alliance management capability, a lack of standardized measurement instruments, and a uniform reliance on quantitative, cross-sectional research designs. While most studies (n=10) focus on the relationship between alliance capability and alliance performance, few address antecedent factors (n=5) or environmental contingencies (n=2), pointing to a significant imbalance in research coverage.
By mapping these gaps, this review proposes an integrated framework to guide future research on alliance capability in Korea and beyond. We call for greater conceptual clarity, diverse methodological approaches—including qualitative, longitudinal, and mixed-method approaches—and empirical expansion across industry settings. These efforts will not only enhance the theoretical rigor of alliance capability research but also offer meaningful insights for practitioners navigating alliance-intensive environments.