The emerging role of coopetition within inter-firm relationships
The International Journal of Logistics Management
ISSN: 0957-4093
Article publication date: 5 April 2019
Issue publication date: 15 May 2019
Abstract
Purpose
Increasing environmental uncertainty, more demanding customers, rapid technological growth and rising capital costs have all forced firms to evolve from collaborating with buyers and suppliers to collaborating with their competitors and that is called coopetition. The purpose of this paper is to better understand the antecedents and outcomes associated with coopetition.
Design/methodology/approach
Building from the existing literature and three theoretical foundations, resource-based theory, resource dependence theory and game theory, the authors develop a model showing the antecedents and outcomes of coopetition and associated propositions of coopetition. Using a semi-structured interview process of 21 industry executives, the authors offer empirical support for the proposed coopetition model and propositions.
Findings
Firms are increasingly dependent on the knowledge and expertise in external organizations to innovate, solve problems and improve supply chain performance. This research suggests that there is a value for firms to consider coopetition as a part of their inter-firm strategies.
Research limitations/implications
The semi-structured interview process used in this research provided a wealth of information and executive experiences in coopetition. The interviews, however, only provide a single perspective of collaborative engagements with competitors. Multiple perspectives of each project would add value to this research.
Originality/value
Collaboration among buyers and suppliers have been well researched; however, there has not been as much research on coopetition. This research provides a new area for future research for academics and offers suggestions for managers to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of their coopetition projects.
Keywords
Citation
Zacharia, Z., Plasch, M., Mohan, U. and Gerschberger, M. (2019), "The emerging role of coopetition within inter-firm relationships", The International Journal of Logistics Management, Vol. 30 No. 2, pp. 414-437. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJLM-02-2018-0021
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited