We examine how firms configure alliance portfolios—that is, networks of partnering firms—in order to exchange, share, or codevelop the capabilities they require to engage in digital innovation. We analyze data from 550 U.S. firms and the strategic alliances they formed within and across industrial sectors to study how the configuration of alliance portfolios in terms of size, degree of exploration, internationality, and competition affects the volume and quality of digital patents. We find that alliances appear to be an effective means, yet alliances for digital innovations require a different configuration when compared with alliances for non-digital innovations. Large and explorative alliance portfolios help with the creation of digital innovations while international alliances and alliances involving competitors do not. We discuss the implications of these findings for research on digital innovation and alliances. We also distill practical advice to executives charged with making strategic decisions about inter-firm partnerships.

我们研究企业如何配置联盟组合（即合作企业网络），以便交换、共享或共同开发参与数字创新所需的能力。我们分析了 550 家美国公司的数据以及它们在行业内部和跨行业形成的战略联盟，以研究联盟组合在规模、探索程度、国际性和竞争方面的配置如何影响数字专利的数量和质量。我们发现，联盟似乎是一种有效的手段，但与非数字创新联盟相比，数字创新联盟需要不同的配置。大型的、探索性的联盟组合有助于数字创新的创造，而国际联盟和涉及竞争对手的联盟则无能为力。我们讨论这些发现对数字创新和联盟研究的影响。我们还为负责制定公司间合作伙伴关系战略决策的高管提供实用建议。