Preface 1 Some introductory reflections PART I Alliance capitalism? 2 Reappraising the eclectic paradigm in an age of alliance capitalism 3 On knowledge and power in the theory of the firm 4 Blurring boundaries: new inter-firm relationships and the emergence of networked, knowledge-based oligopolies PART II Joint ventures, alliances, and hierarchical integration 5 The evolution of collaborative activity in the firm 6 Testing theories of joint ventures: Why Japanese investors in the United States choose joint ventures over acquisitions 7 A simultaneous equations model of technological agreements and infra-mural R&D 8 Technological change and vertical integration: Analysis of international vertical integration in multinational companies PART III Supply relations 9 Cost, quality, and learning based governance of buyer-supplier relations 10 Japanese ‘transplant’ supplier relations: are they transferable? Should they be? 11 Customer-subcontractor relationships