The past two decades have witnessed an enormous growth worldwide in the number of inter-firm collaborations. This trend towards more cooperation is considered as one of the greatest changes in the way business is conducted. However, several important questions in the field of inter-firm collaboration remain unanswered.

Based on institutional and industrial economics Carolin Häussler analyzes the following topics:

" Do inter-firm collaborations increase firm value?
" Does value enhancement vary according to firm and collaboration characteristics?
" What determines the allocation of control rights between asymmetrical partners?
" Does the contractual structure influence the success of collaboration?
" Is collaboration supporting firm restructuring in times of change?

This book is essential reading for researchers and students in the fields of business administration and economics. It is equally interesting to managers in corporate development and strategy departments.

Dr. Carolin Häussler ist wissenschaftliche Assistentin von Prof. Dietmar Harhoff, Ph.D., am Institut für Innovationsforschung, Technologiemanagement und Entrepreneurship der Universität München.