Do strategic alliances in a developing country create firm value? Evidence from Korean firms

This paper examines the impact of strategic alliances on the increment of firm value in the case of Korean firms. For this, we apply an event study using OLS and GARCH market models. The results of our study show that, strategic alliances in Korea produce significant positive abnormal returns before and at the announcement date, indicating an increase in firm value. This firm value augmented by alliance announcements does not have any relationship with firms' growth but has an inverse relationship with firms' sizes. Interestingly, non-technological marketing alliances contribute to increasing firm value more than technological alliances do, regardless of partner firms' nationality. This evidence is contrasted to the cases of firms in advanced countries. Particularly, Korean firms' marketing alliances with firms in advanced G7 countries contribute to largely increasing the firm value of the former.

► Our event study finds evidence that strategic alliances contribute to a significant creation in firm value.
► Marketing alliances create greater firm value than technology ones.
► Marketing alliances with firms in advanced G7 countries make the biggest firm value.