<p>In this research, we investigate an underexplored topic in regional studies and economic geography linking regional strategic alliances backward to public policies and forward to industrial path development. To examine in detail the complexity of this relationship, we triangulate conceptual analysis and empirical evidence. Elected politicians cannot directly influence firm alliance behavior. However, the result of the public policies they design can be a dynamic environment, with an unexpectedly dense network of regional strategic alliances. We directly questioned experienced executives of 67 medium and large manufacturing companies operating in Romania and found that unintended public policies may explain at least 29.9% of the variation between locations and cities in the formation of strategic alliances. Compared to industrial determinants, we show that only input customization for productivity (27.7%) and innovation (21%) of local firms, jointly with adapted local competition (18.4%), significantly explains the same differences. In addition, we found that the size of the firm is positively and significantly associated with the formation of strategic alliances for industrial development. Our empirical analysis demonstrates that regions where public policies indirectly create conditions tailored to the needs of local industries are also the regions with more strategic alliances developed by firms for industrial development. Local authorities and regional policymakers may identify from our research evidence-based areas for policy interventions aimed at creating a local business environment conducive to collaboration, to subsequently stimulate cluster formation and strategic coupling to global production networks.</p>