Characteristics of the entrepreneur and the propensity to partner

PROPAT uncovers the personal characteristics needed for success in in business alliances

The volume of research on strategic alliances is overwhelming, and has thoroughly covered every step of the entire strategic alliance process from pre-requisites to outcomes. 

Most research has been directed at the characteristics of the external environment (e.g. globalisation, uncertainty, technological change), the business (e.g. internal competencies, organisational slack, strategic intent), or the partnership (e.g. specific contribution, strategic fit, complementary equals) as precursors to alliance formation. Many researchers have also examined the alliance management process and identified success factors and desirable attributes (e.g. communication, flexibility, conflict-resolution capability) during the alliance. Others have focused on outcomes in an attempt to identify what constitutes a successful alliance.

PROPAT is unique in that it focuses on the characteristics of the entrepreneur and how these affect the propensity of businesses to form alliances. It identifies the requisite personal characteristics of the entrepreneur for successful alliance formation and offers a business alliance self-assessment tool for anyone contemplating the alliance decision to assess his or her preparedness for the alliance.