Coopetition capability of international joint ventures for high-speed railway projects

Abstract

Global high-speed railway (HSR) market is developing rapidly, and the amount of international joint ventures (IJVs) of HSR projects is surging. Even though previous studies claim that cooperation and competition simultaneously exist in the HSR IJVs and engaging in coopetition activities is of great significance, how to enhance their coopetition capability to better create common benefits and capture private benefits has rarely been informed. To bridge the gap, this study aims to identify the factors influencing coopetition capability in the HSR IJVs and develop a path model to reveal the internal mechanism. This study identified 19 factors along with their categories through a literature review and pilot study, and collected data from the HSR IJVs practitioners using a questionnaire survey. Based on the measurement model test and path analysis, five categories were validated and six paths were supported. The research findings demonstrate that both environmental and organizational conditions have a positive effect on coopetition capability, and develop an analytical framework of coopetition capability in the context of HSR IJVs. This study will contribute to the existing knowledge on coopetition theory, and assist the HSR IJVs’ members and other infrastructure projects contractors in their coopetition capability enhancement and successful projects completion.