Time in international strategic alliances: Progress and prospect

Abstract

Time has significant implications for the functioning of international strategic alliances. Drawing on a systematic review (1943–2022), we consolidate the literature around types of time (i.e., clock, event, cyclical, and life-cycle) and time facets (e.g., duration and speed) in international strategic alliances. This review's findings aid us in developing a temporal-relational framework that intends to advance the study of how partners’ similar as well as dissimilar perspectives about time can engender either friction or enrichment. This framework supports a research agenda that emphasizes subjective time to advance theory about international strategic alliances.