Exploring the ability-willingness paradox through horizontal strategic alliances: Evidence from an Italian consortium in the elevators industry

Drawing from the ability-willingness paradox and interfirm relations literature, this paper explores how family firms develop a consortium to innovate. An in-depth single case study on an Italian Consortium (as a specific case of a horizontal strategic alliance) is conducted. Data have been collected over the period 2018-2021 via interviews to seven main actors belonging to the Consortium, archival data and direct observation. The case analysis reveals first insights on how social capital at alliance level influences family firms in overcoming their individual ability-willingness paradox.