The need to access knowledge globally is increasingly driving organisations
to form international research alliances. When partners in such alliances
reside in different nations, respective government policies may impinge on
the strategic development and structure of the alliance. In this paper, we
discuss the impact of perceived policy stances on the alliance strategy of
research and technology institutes (RTIs) and provide a framework for consi
dering possible alliance strategies. We believe that the choice of alliance
strategy will depend upon how the RTI 'frames' its government's policy sta
nce. The influence of 'framing' on the development of research alliance str
ategy is illustrated with a case study of an alliance between a New Zealand
RTI and an American high technology firm in the emerging superconductivity
industry. The paper concludes with a discussion of how use of the alliance
strategy framework may impact on organisational practice and the developme
nt and interpretation of government policy.