DYNAMIC CAPABILITIES AS A SUCCESS-FACTOR OF THE LONG-TERM BUSINESS ALLIANCE: THE CASE OF SIEMENS AND ATOS
Abstract
Strategic alliances offer numerous benefits, including access to new markets, shared resources, and enhanced capabilities, which collectively contribute to a firm’s competitive edge. However, maintaining these partnerships over time remains a challenge due to the dynamic nature of collaborative relationships. The article is devoted to the analysis of dynamic capabilities of partnership and its role in the long-term development of the business alliance between Siemens and Atos. The specificity of dynamic capabilities is identified, namely the characteristics of "sensing," "seizing," and "reconfiguring" capabilities at the stages of partnership development between Siemens and Atos. Three stages of development of dynamic capabilities of the business alliance between Siemens and Atos are defined: the founding stage (2011-2014), the expansion stage (2015-2020), and the current stage (2021-2025). The founding stage involved mutual investments and the adoption of performance programs to enhance operational efficiency. The expansion stage saw the alliance focusing on Industry 4.0, cybersecurity, and digital strategy, with increased funding and expanded scope. The current stage emphasizes sustainability and advanced technologies like quantum computing and blockchain, along with joint initiatives and participation in research programs. It is found that over the decade of collaboration, the alliance has demonstrated the ability to adapt and evolve according to market and technological changes, based on the abilities of both partners to identify new opportunities, analyze market trends, and accordingly transform the alliance's business model. Thus continuous adaptation, investment in dynamic capabilities, and cooperative efforts with external partners are vital for maintaining mutually beneficial partnerships. The Siemens-Atos alliance serves as a case study illustrating how these capabilities can be effectively leveraged to achieve sustained success in a dynamic business environment.
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