This dissertation develops the major determinants of choos- ing
inter-firm arrangements. By examining the conditions under
which equity joint ventures will be preferred to non-equity
con- tractual arrangements, this dissertation tries to fill the
gap of few researches regarding hybrid forms on the one hand,
and dis- cusses the motives for a firm to enter into a joint
venture over contractual arrangements on the other hand. This
dissertation integrates transaction cost economics, strategic
behavior, organizational learning, and resource depend- ence
theories to examine the determinants affecting Taiwan en-
terprises'' choice of international collaborative modes by using
Taiwan motor vehicle and computer industries as subjects. We
have presented a conceptual framework that explains the
determinants affacting the enterprises'' choice of international
collaborative modes. The determinants include three factors:
cooperative part- ner, cooperative resource, and industry-
specific variables. From the presented conceptual framework
chapter three deve- lops eighteen hypotheses. The primary data
for the study were collected through a questionnaire survey by
personal interview method. The sample consists of 93
international collaborative projects that are primarily engaged
in the motor vehicle and com- puter industries in Taiwan. To
test the hypotheses, Chi-Square test, T test, and Probit model
were conducted. Empirical finding is divided into three parts.
First, joint ventures use the shared ownership mechanism adding
to the con- tractual mechanism. Second, transaction cost
economics, strategic behavior, and organizatioal learning
theories play an important role in explaining the choice of
collaborative modes. Third, technological substance of
cooperative activities and cultural distance moderates the
effects of determinants on the choice of collaborative modes.