The objective of this study is to conduct an empirical analysis to find the determinants of successful alliances between container shipping companies. In order to fulfill this objective this paper is divided into four main parts. Firstly, this paper examined various concepts of strategic alliances through literature review. Secondly, this paper summarized previous empirical research related to determinants of successful strategic alliances. Thirdly, this paper conducted an empirical analysis to test the relation among variables related to the performance of strategic alliances between container shipping companies. Finally, this paper analyzed the determinants of the success of strategic alliances between container shipping companies.
To test the hypotheses, data were collected via questionnaire survey among container shipping companies which have involved in alliances. The questionnaire data were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) 10.0. To test the hypotheses, reliability test, factor analysis, correlation analysis and regression analysis of variance were conducted.
The results of this study are as follows:
Firstly, in case of strategic characteristics, strategic importance and manager's attitude affect the success of strategic alliances.
Secondly, in case of partnership characteristics, commitment, trust, and interdependence were identified as the most important elements for the success of alliances between container shipping companies..
Thirdly, opportunism was regarded as the least important factor for the success of partnerships.
Fourthly, in case of communication, communication quality and information sharing between partner companies were found to be as the most important elements which affect the successful strategic alliances.
Finally, in case of management characteristics, systematic management was found not to affect the successful strategic alliance.
In conclusion, in terms of strategic importance, manager's attitude, commitment, trust, interdependence, opportunism, communication quality, information sharing and systematic management were found to affect the performance of strategic alliances between container shipping companies. Container shipping companies which are already involved in alliances or are planning to make partnership should consider carefully those factors to improve their alliance performance.