The purpose of this paper is to elucidate information on what creates the different types of knowledge.
In the conceptual model it is argued that the concept of social capital provides an interesting view on the creation of market‐specific and firm‐specific knowledge.
The major finding from the paper is that knowledge is an important by‐product of an alliance forming process, a process commonly termed as alliance learning.
Both market‐specific and firm‐specific knowledge have implications on two main types of alliance learning, that of mutual and non‐mutual learning.
Alliance managers need to be aware that knowledge is a key driver as well as a beneficial outcome in the formation of alliances.
This paper examines how the different types of knowledge evolve and how these different types of knowledge impact upon alliance learning.
