Abstract
Strategic alliances, as a means to acquire and co-ordinate resources for technological development, market access and manufacturing efficiency have, during the last years, captured increasing attention. Presumably driven by the globalization of markets and technological development, alliances are increasingly being used as strategic tools for corporate survival and growth, shaping the present and future structure of industries. The establishment of strategic alliances is a characteristic shared by many industries; such as the aircraft, automobile, telecommunications and computer industries, to mention but a few. The issues are if these predominantly hidden industrial structures can be exposed and if we can identify factors determining these structures.