Toward a Dynamic Analysis of Trust-Building Process Through the Strategic Alliance Life Cycle: The Role of Dynamic Capabilities

Kaouther Ben Jemaa-Boubaya; Fadia Bahri Korbi; Foued Cheriet

doi:10.37725/mgmt.2024.8301

Kaouther Ben Jemaa-Boubaya OCRE, EDC Paris Business School, Puteaux, France https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8985-7446
Fadia Bahri Korbi Laboratoire Interdisciplinaire de Recherches en Sciences de l’action (Lirsa), Conservatoire National Des Arts et Métiers, Paris, France https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3532-756X
Foued Cheriet Montpellier Interdisciplinary Center on Sustainable Agri-Food Systems (MoISA), Institut Agro Montpellier, Montpellier, France https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3183-293X

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37725/mgmt.2024.8301

Keywords: Trust, Dynamic capabilities, Antecedents, Strategic alliance, Life cycle stages

Abstract

Literature has acknowledged trust as a major factor in the performance of strategic alliances. However, little research has attempted to analyze the process of building trust in parallel to the evolution of a strategic alliance. Using a longitudinal qualitative study of five cases of strategic alliances, we document a new process framework of building trust throughout the alliance life cycle. Our research has many implications. First, we contribute to demonstrate that trust is a dynamic concept. Second, we highlight that the process of building trust evolves through several iterations. We also demonstrate that this process is not linear and occurs in loops throughout the alliance life cycle. Third, we highlight the fact that trust is built through specific dynamic capabilities which refer to ‘sensing;’ ‘aligning’, ‘configuring’, and ‘adapting’. These capabilities emerge during the alliance life cycle, and influence each of the antecedents from one phase to another, allowing for a more dynamic process of building trust among partners in strategic alliances.

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Author Biographies

Kaouther Ben Jemaa-Boubaya, OCRE, EDC Paris Business School, Puteaux, France

Kaouther BEN JEMAA-BOUBAYA is an assistant professor at EDC Paris Business School and a member of the OCRE Research Laboratory. She holds a PHD from the University of Sorbonne Paris Nord. Her areas of research are in strategic management, in particular strategic alliances and mergers acquisitions, their management, challenges and issues. She has published articles in International Management, Mangement et avenir & la Revue des Sciences de Gestion.

Fadia Bahri Korbi, Laboratoire Interdisciplinaire de Recherches en Sciences de l’action (Lirsa), Conservatoire National Des Arts et Métiers, Paris, France

Fadia BAHRI KORBI is an associate professor at the Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers (Cnam) Paris and a member of the LIRSA (Laboratoire interdisciplinaire de recherches en sciences de l’action). She holds a PHD from the University of Versailles Saint-Quentin-en Yvelines/Paris-Saclay University. Her areas of research are in strategic management, international business and interorganizational information systems. She has published in ranked journals including Systèmes d'Information et Management (French Journal of Management Information Systems), Journal of Business Research, Journal of Knowledge Management, and IEuropean Management Review.

Foued Cheriet, Montpellier Interdisciplinary Center on Sustainable Agri-Food Systems (MoISA), Institut Agro Montpellier, Montpellier, France

Foued CHERIET hold a Ph.D in Management Sciences from Institut Agro Montpellier. He si a Full-Professor at the Agro Institute of Montpellier. Member of the MoISA Research Unit (Montpellier Interdisciplinary center on Sustainable Agri-food System), his work focuses on the coordination of agri-food sectors, international agribusiness and inter-organizational relationships. Author of several publications on asymmetric strategic alliances, conflict management and food and wine marketing.

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