Learning from IJVs: The Unintended Outcome

International joint ventures (IJVs) have been suggested as a vehicle to provide opportunities for each partner to gain access to existing knowledge and develop new knowledge. This paper seeks to determine whether in fact IJVs are motivated by a learning imperative. A typology of learning opportunities is measured, mapping out if any learning occurs within the IJV network, and if so where. The processes measured were transfer of existing knowledge to the IJV and between partners, transformation of knowledge through IJV activities to create new knowledge, and the harvesting of newly created knowledge from the IJV back to partner firms. Our data suggests that production-based IJVs are not typically motivated by learning outcomes. We find no conclusive evidence of a direct relationship between learning and performance. However, for a minority of firms, there are strong indirect learning outcomes, particularly regarding partnering and market knowledge.