Modern View of Strategic Alliances in Small Businesses
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18779/csye.v10i1.1211Keywords:
innovation, Latin America, risk management, small businesses, strategic alliancesAbstract
Strategic alliances are cooperative agreements between independent organizations aimed at achieving shared objectives. This study examines their impact on the sustainable growth of small Latin American enterprises, highlighting benefits such as risk diversification, knowledge transfer, and market expansion, as well as challenges related to cultural compatibility, governance, and the potential loss of autonomy. The main objective was to assess their influence on the competitiveness of Latin American SMEs, with particular focus on the Ecuadorian context. To achieve this, a systematic literature review (2020–2025) was carried out, complemented by the analysis of ten regional case studies and a survey administered to 150 Ecuadorian small businesses. Findings indicate that strategic compatibility and rigorous planning are more influential than formal contractual arrangements in determining alliance success. The results also show that well-structured alliances can lead to income increases of up to 20% compared to firms operating independently. Additionally, three high-impact collaboration models were identified: bridge alliances supporting internationalization processes, sectoral clusters that enhance economies of scale, and university–industry partnerships that foster innovation. These insights provide theoretical and practical guidance for small enterprises operating in competitive environments characterized by limited resources.
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