Le Manager
Volume 13, Numéro 1, Pages 569-597
2026-06-30
When Complementarity Rhymes With Urgency : Strategic Insights From The Accelerated Development Of The Pfizer–biontech Covid-19 Vaccine
Authors : Saci Amel . Belaidi Abdelaziz .
Abstract
Amid unprecedented turbulence and pressing health challenges, firms are pushed to innovate faster and smarter, often through strategic alliances. This article explores how resource complementarity and strategic vision alignment can turn collaborative innovation into a powerful lever for breakthrough performance. Drawing on an in-depth qualitative case study of the Pfizer–BioNTech partnership for COVID-19 vaccine development, the study highlights how a biotech’s cutting-edge mRNA expertise and a pharmaceutical giant’s global regulatory and manufacturing capabilities were orchestrated to deliver an effective vaccine in record time. The analysis uncovers four decisive success factors in such high-stakes alliances : strong technological complementarity, robust and shared governance, committed top management, and agile operational choices under extreme time pressure. By combining the Resource-Based View with the open innovation lens, the article shows how partners can co-create value well beyond their individual capacities. The study concludes with concrete recommendations for managers and policymakers aiming to leverage these lessons within emerging innovation ecosystems
Keywords
strategic alliances ; open inoovation ; resource complementarity ; vision alignments ; Pfizer ; BioNTech
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