Chapter 6: Success Factors for Strategic Partnerships in the Biotechnology Sector

Over half of all research-oriented partnerships in the biotechnology industry fail due to problems in inter-organizational relationships. The analysis of factors that determine the success of strategic partnerships can help companies reduce the high failure rates. Based on the resource-oriented and relationship-oriented approach, this chapter examines the influence of three structural factors and three dynamic factors on the success of strategic, research-oriented partnerships in the biotechnology industry. In the empirical analysis, data from 48 research collaborations by 28 companies were collected and analyzed. The results confirm the significant influence of the factors “complementary resources”, “operational compatibility”, “bilateral exchange of information”, and “opportunistic behavior”. On the basis of these findings, companies can identify approaches to influence the success of their own research collaborations. In particular, appropriate recommendations for action can be derived in the context of the structural design of partnerships and the dynamic exchange process.