1) If a target firm has a resource or capability that is critical to your core businesses, which one between an acquisition and an alliance should be a better approach? Explain why.

2) If synergies with a target firm are achieved by a great deal of interdependent work and intensive knowledge sharing, which one between an acquisition and an alliance should be a better approach? Explain why.

3) If the extent of redundant resources between your firm and a target firm is high, which one between an acquisition and an alliance should be a better approach? Explain why.

4) If the level of market competition for resources of your target firm is high, which one between an acquisition and an alliance should be a better approach? Explain why.

5)If there is a high degree of market uncertainty, which one between an acquisition and an alliance should be a better approach? Explain why.

6) If the synergy generating resources are soft resources (human capital), not hard physical resources (e.g., plants, facilities, and so forth), which one between an acquisition and an alliance should be a better approach? Explain why.