Influence of Individualism or Communitarianism of Actors on Opportunism in a Coopetition

Abstract

This paper attempts to show that opportunism in a coopetitive market can be influenced not only by the individualism of the actors but also by communitarianism. Our theoretical anchor is the contract theory to explain the opportunism of the actors by communitarianism or individualism. We adopted a mixed methodology (quali-quanti). The data used are primary, from the administration of a questionnaire to 207 clandos in a coopetitive market in the alternative transport sector in Gabon. The multivariate qualitative comparative analysis technique (mvQCA) was used. The results indicate that opportunistic behavior in a coopetitive market is explained mainly by national communitarianism (Gabonese), then transnational communitarianism (natives of Central Africa except nationals and natives of West Africa), under conditions specific to each community; Opportunism is subsidiarily explained by the individualism of the actors who paradoxically trust each other in a competitive coopetition but these dishonest actors are paradoxically not sanctioned.