The importance of alliances in firm capital structure decisions: evidence form biotechnology firms

Abstract

Building on finance research, we argue that the ex post hazards arising from alliance formation depend upon the firm’s financial condition. Financial distress jeopardizes the continuity of an alliance and the value of the investments involved. Thus, firms should reduce leverage to signal continued commitment and to induce investments from alliance partners. Accordingly, we find that a firm’s current alliance propensity predicts its subsequent capital structure decisions and that this relationship is most pronounced in the presence of other exchange hazards. Our paper contributes to alliance research and to the growing literature discussing the strategic consequences of capital structure.