Strategic alliance (SA) is pursued by a diverse array of firms motivated by a range of factors. Among the SA themes, knowledge transfer (KT) has gained significant popularity over the past fifteen years. The developing literature is ontologically, epistemologically, and methodologically diverse. In spite of helpful reviews, the intellectual structure (up-stream decisions) of SA–KT research remains unclear, arguably resulting in the accidental rather than deliberate diversity potentially slowing the advancement of knowledge, its efficacy, its interpretation, and utility. By systematically analysing the intellectual structure of the empirical SA–KT studies published in peer-reviewed journals between 1990 and 2017 we address these shortcomings. The aim is to identify the preponderance of particular methods, and/or analytical procedures, developing the essence of the established research conventions. By reviewing the up-stream rather than the more conventional down-stream decisions, we offer an alternative approach to conducting systematic management literature reviews helpful to future researchers.

中文翻译：

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战略联盟伙伴之间的公司间知识转移：前进的道路

战略联盟 (SA) 是由一系列受一系列因素驱动的公司所追求的。在 SA 主题中，知识转移 (KT) 在过去 15 年中广受欢迎。发展中的文献在本体论、认识论和方法论上都是多样的。尽管有有益的评论，但 SA-KT 研究的知识结构（上游决策）仍不清楚，可以说是偶然而不是故意的多样性可能会减缓知识的进步、其功效、解释和效用。通过系统地分析 1990 年至 2017 年间发表在同行评审期刊上的实证 SA-KT 研究的知识结构，我们解决了这些缺点。目的是确定特定方法和/或分析程序的优势，发展既定研究惯例的精髓。通过审查上游而不是更传统的下游决策，我们提供了一种替代方法来进行对未来研究人员有帮助的系统管理文献审查。