Partnering in Nanotechnology Ventures: Critical Decision Factors

Keywords:
partnerships, new ventures, growth, decision making, learning

Abstract:
Business executives are often faced with the decision of whether to optimize the firm’s performance by partnering with another company or exploring growth alone. Although nanotechnology firms are no exception, the high level of tacit knowledge requisite in these ventures presents complicated decision factors that must be considered. This study discusses the traditional decision factors inherent in partnering decisions as well as factors specifically important to nanotechnology firm executives such as accelerated learning, knowledge sharing, intellectual property protection, and leveraged growth opportunities.

Nanotech 2008 Conference Program Abstract