Coopetitive Relationships Research Articles

Understanding competition, cooperation and their interplay in supplier network: implication on manufacturer’s innovation

PurposeA manufacturer with complex end-products can play the “hub firm” role in its supplier network and manage the relationship among its suppliers, but it mostly does not know how to manage suppliers’ coopetitive relationship for improving its innovation. This study aims to investigate the influence of horizontal supplier–supplier (S-S) competition and cooperation in the supplier network on the quantity and quality of manufacturer’s innovation, to unravel the manufacturers’ coopetitive strategic sourcing.Design/methodology/approachThe study conducts negative binomial regression using the data from 130 listed Japanese manufacturers and their first-tier supplier networks as the analysis unit.FindingsThe results indicate that both S-S competition and cooperation have inverted U-shaped effects on manufacturers’ innovation. As to the interplay of S-S competition and cooperation in driving manufacturers’ innovation, the one weakens the other’s inverted U-shaped role. It also shows that simultaneously maintaining moderate cooperation and competition among suppliers is a good choice for manufacturer innovation, and when there is high S-S competition, motivating high cooperation among suppliers is also a way to enhance manufacturers’ innovation. All of the effects are more significant and robust on the innovation quality than the innovation quantity.Originality/valueThis study contributes to linking the dyadic analysis of vertical relationships to the network analysis of horizontal S-S relations and exploring the under-researched interplay between competition and cooperation in driving the ego firm’s innovation. It provides insights to manufacturers’ policymakers on how to strategically manage their supplier networks and S-S coopetition to improve their innovation performance.

Ego-network characteristics moderates the interaction of structural hole and centrality on market performance: based on coopetition network

This paper establishes a symmetric matrix based on the coopetition relationships among global automobile enterprises, and uses Ucinet software to obtain the visualization chart of the coopetition network of global automobile enterprises. Then, the multiple moderating effect method and two-stage least squares method are adopt to reveal the interaction between structural hole and centrality on enterprise market performance, and how the ego-network characteristics affect this interaction. The results show that structural hole and centrality have a positive interaction on market performance. Compared with high ego-network stability, the positive interaction between structural hole and centrality on enterprise market performance is stronger under the condition of low ego-network stability. And compared with low ego-network density, the positive interaction between structural hole and centrality on market performance is stronger under the condition of high ego-network density. These new findings further strengthen the connection between the overall network and ego-network.

Influence of standards alliance coopetition relationship on enterprises’ technology innovation performance — A dual-path perspective of knowledge acquisition and routine updating

Technology standardisation is becoming a strategic initiative for globalised enterprises committed to innovation and development. However, the role of Technical Standards Alliance (TSA) as the primary method of participating in technology standardisation and the relationship between alliance enterprises for innovation benefits remains unclear, which leads to the partial failure of enterprise standardisation and innovation. This study constructs a research model based on coopetition theory to explore the mediating mechanism and boundary conditions of the Standards Alliance Coopetition Relationship (SCR) affecting enterprises' Technology Innovation Performance (TIP). The researchers conducted a questionnaire survey involving 542 standards alliance participating enterprises in China. The results of the regression analysis and self-help test reveal that (1) SCR positively affects enterprises' TIP; (2) Knowledge Acquisition (KA) and Routine Updating (RU) act as both a two-path mediator and a chain mediator between SCR and the enterprises’ TIP; and (3) Cognitive Proximity (CP) among alliance enterprises positively moderates the relationship between SCR and KA, and SCR and RU. These findings contribute theoretically to the literature on technology standardisation and address the research gap on how enterprises can effectively enhance their TIP through participation in standardisation. Finally, the study provides significant managerial implications for enterprises to construct robust standard alliance coopetition relationships, strengthen knowledge acquisition, and enhance routine updating.

An ordinal–cardinal consensus model for three-way large-scale group decision-making considering co-opetition relations

In large-scale group decision-making (LSGDM), the complexity of the decision-making environment highlights the significance of co-opetition in reaching a consensus among decision-makers (DMs) with diverse knowledge. Thus, this paper proposes an ordinal–cardinal consensus model for three-way LSGDM that considers co-opetition relationships among DMs. Specifically, we first improve the ordinal consensus measure and propose the ordinal–cardinal consensus measure by analyzing the co-opetition relationships. Then, utilizing the constructed trust consensus network, DMs are categorized into subgroups, and spokespersons are selected from each subgroup. Further, we establish the consensus identification rule using the three-way decision (TWD) theory and design a personalized feedback regulation mechanism for distinct relationships among subgroup representatives based on ordinal consensus. Also, an example of economic revitalization is employed to illustrate the feasibility of the proposed approach. Finally, the benefits and values of the proposed method are highlighted by simulation and comparative analysis.

Research on the Impact of Coopetition Relationship on Knowledge Transfer in Alliance Network

Research on the Impact of Coopetition Relationship on Knowledge Transfer in Alliance Network

Don't ignore either side: The differential impact of ego-network density of the focal firm and partner on technological invasion

This study investigated the differential effects of the ego-network density (i.e., ego-density) of the focal firm and its partner on the focal firm's competitive behavior toward its partner in technological areas, as well as the moderating role of relative structural holes in the whole alliance network. The empirical findings indicate that the ego-density of the focal firm has an inverted U-shaped relationship with technological invasion, whereas the ego-density of the partner firm has a negative effect. Relative structural holes also appear to strengthen the inverted U-shaped relationship between the focal firm's ego-density and technological invasion while attenuating the negative effect of the partner firm's ego-density on technological invasion. By concurrently considering both participants in this allying relationship and the synergistic interaction of the ego and whole alliance network, these results add to our understanding of the coopetition relationship within such networks.

Swimming With the Shark: The Effects of Platform Price Promotion and In-Platform Advertising on Third-Party Retailer Performance in Hybrid Online Retailing

Hybrid retailing is an emerging business model that melds traditional reselling with the newer platform approach. A platform owner resells directly to consumers (the reselling model) and also allows third-party retailers (TPRs) to sell on the platform for a commission (the platform model). Given the integral role of TPRs in the hybrid retailing ecosystem, research is imperative to understand how the strategic actions of the platform owner could affect the performance and activities of TPRs. Using a longitudinal dataset of an online platform that adopts a hybrid-retailing structure, the research proposes that the platform owner's strategies, specifically price promotion and in-platform advertising, can affect TPR sales performance directly (through positive spillover effects and negative crowding-out effects) and indirectly (by prompting TPRs to respond with their price promotion and in-platform advertising). Further, such direct and indirect effects depend on TPR size. The findings indicate significant direct effects: the platform owner's price promotion has a positive spillover effect on TPR sales, and more so for larger TPRs; the platform owner's in-platform advertising has a negative crowding-out effect on TPR sales and more so for smaller TPRs. The paper also reports indirect effects: TPRs tend to use price promotion to respond to both strategies of the platform owner, and TPR's price promotion also has positive consequences for TPR sales, and the effects are stronger for larger TPRs. Given the unique coopetition relationship between the platform owner and TPRs in the hybrid retailing context, this research provides firsthand empirical evidence that the platform owner's strategies can significantly affect TPR performance through direct and indirect effects, shows larger TPRs benefit the most from the platform owner's price promotion, while smaller TPRs suffer the most from the platform owner's in-platform advertising, and TPRs favor price promotion regardless what strategies the platform owner uses. These results indicate that both platform owners and policymakers should consider the differential implications for TPRs of different sizes in terms of the social welfare of the platform ecosystem.

Symbiosis Evolution of Regional Knowledge Innovation Ecosystem: The Relevance of Lotka–Volterra Model

Knowledge innovation is the driving force and guarantee of regional development. Inspired by population ecology, this article uses symbiosis theory to explore the symbiotic relationship of subjects in the regional knowledge innovation ecosystem. The nonlinear Lotka–Volterra model is constructed with the main subjects to measure the knowledge innovation ability of knowledge innovation subjects. The symbiotic relationships among the knowledge innovation subjects in each region are identified. Taking Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou as examples, a sensitivity analysis of the initial value and coopetition relationship is conducted. The results show that the initial value change has no significant effect on the development of knowledge innovation subjects. The interaction relationships among subjects directly affect the symbiotic evolution trend. The study extends the application scope of the symbiosis theory and develops a theoretical framework for the development of subjects in regional knowledge innovation ecosystem. It offers regions a reference to use Lotka–Volterra model adjusting the knowledge innovation structure in various regions.

Examining the Coopetition Relationships in Renewable Energy Trade among BRI Countries: Complexity, Stability, and Evolution

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has significantly transformed the traditional energy market and reshaped international cooperation and conflict dynamics through its expanding trade in renewable energy resources. This study focuses on examining the complex and evolving nature of coopetition relationships in the renewable energy trade among BRI countries from 2013 to 2020. Understanding the interplay between cooperation and competition in this sector is crucial for comprehending the dynamics and stability of these trade relationships. Using a signed network approach, the findings of this study reveal that the countries predominantly exhibit a cooperative relationship. However, as time progresses, a notable pattern emerges, characterized by the coexistence of “competitive cooperation” and “cooperative competition”. In addition, coopetition group clustering is strongly influenced by geographical location. China, as a key player in the BRI, demonstrates a coopetition group characterized by a high inflow and low outflow pattern. Furthermore, the implementation of the BRI has greatly improved the overall stability of trade along the route. However, the coexistence of competition and cooperation among nations has increased the uncertainty of trade relations, thereby exerting a certain level of influence on their stability. Based on these findings, this study proposes policy recommendations to strength renewable energy trade relationships along the BRI route.

Winner-takes-all or competitive coexistence? Research on the co-opetition relationships between platform owners and complementors

Purpose The purpose of this study is to explore the coopetition relationships between platform owners and complementors in complementary product markets. Drawing on the coopetition theory, the authors examined the evolutionary trends of the coopetition relationships between platform owners and complementors and explore the main influence factors. Design/methodology/approach The authors used Lotka–Volterra model to analyze the coopetition relationship between platform owners and complementors, including the evolutionary trends as well as the results. Considering the feasibility of sample data collection, simulation is used to verify the effects of different factors on the evolution of coopetition relationships. Findings The results show that there are four possible results of the competition in the complementary products market. That comprises “winner-take-all for platform owners,” “winner-take-all for complementors,” “stable competitive coexistence” and “unstable competitive coexistence,” where “stable competitive coexistence” is the optimal evolutionary state. Moreover, the results of competitive evolution are determined by innovation subjects’ interaction parameters. However, the natural growth rate, the initial market benefits of the two innovators and the overall benefits of the complementary product markets influence the time to reach a steady state. Originality/value The study provides new insights into the entry of platform owners into complementary markets, and the findings highlight the fact that in complementary product markets, platform owners and complementors should seek “competitive coexistence” rather than “winner-takes-all.” Moreover, the authors also enrich the coopetition theory by revealing the core factors that influence the evolution of coopetition relationships, which further enhance the analysis of the evolutionary process of coopetition relationships.

A Systematic Review of the Coopetition Relationship between Bike-Sharing and Public Transit

The sharing economy, mobile Internet, and smartphones have been widely utilized in recent years to promote the development of bike-sharing services. Bike-sharing serves as a first/last mile travel mode to connect to public transit, which improves trip efficiency, alleviates traffic problems, improves environmental quality, and promotes public health. However, the substitution of public transit by bike-sharing and the decline in public transit ridership have raised concerns among city managers regarding the coopetition between shared mobility services and public transit. To understand the impact of bike-sharing on the decline in public transit and to formulate reasonable synergistic development policies, it is crucial to identify the coopetition relationships between the two. This paper uses a combination of database search and backward snowballing to review existing research. Three research themes were identified: macrolevel studies on bike-sharing and public transit interaction, studies on actual coopetition behaviors based on bike-sharing user surveys, and studies on potential coopetition relationships based on bike-sharing transaction data. The three categories of studies reveal the effect of bike-sharing usage on public transit ridership, the emergency function of bike-sharing in the event of unexpected transit shutdowns, and the substitution and connection relationships between bike-sharing and public transit and the factors influencing them. Finally, this study suggests many directions for future research. This review helps clarify the understanding of the coopetition relationships between bike-sharing and public transit, provides theoretical support to promote the synergistic development of both, and points out ways to deepen the research on the coopetition relationship between the two.

“Us Versus Them” : The impact of homophily and trust in partner selection and cooperation intensity in coopetitive agreements

As an increasing number of companies adopt coopetition strategies (simultaneous cooperation and competition), it is important to better understand how they select their coopetitor (partner-competitor) and how they set the intensity of their cooperation with these competitors. Because previous studies underestimated the social ties in which these coopetitive agreements occur, this research answers the following research question: How do homophily and trust impact partner selection and the intensity of cooperation in coopetitive agreements? We conduct a multiple-case study to investigate a network of coopetitive relationships between nine competing Cameroonian firms in the distribution of construction and civil engineering equipment in the Douala region (the economic capital of Cameroon) and use ethnic groups to measure the notion of homophily. Because all these firms have interethnic and intraethnic coopetitive agreements, we were able to address the importance of homophily in partner selection and in the intensity of cooperation in coopetitive agreements. Our findings show, first, that coopetitors prefer to cooperate with competitors that belong to the same group because they trust them more and anticipate less coopetitive tensions and opportunistic behaviors in the future. Second, we note that the intensity of cooperation between competitors is much higher in intragroup coopetitive agreements (i.e., within the same group) than in intergroup coopetitive agreements (i.e., between two companies whose managers are from two different groups). Third, we underline that peer pressure and the existence of credible sanctions reinforce the positive relationship between being a member of the same group and trust and thus the intensity of cooperation between coopetitors.

The impact of international coopetitive relationships on surrounding vertical networks during COVID-19

The impact of international coopetitive relationships on surrounding vertical networks during COVID-19

Coopetitive dynamics, really? Towards an interaction perspective on coopetition

Prior research has traditionally understood the dynamic nature of coopetition as shifts between relational states of coopetition over time and has treated coopetition interplay and coopetitive dynamics tautologically. This understanding is problematic because it fails to capture the continuous flux of changes in coopetitive relationships based on the finer details of partners' situated interactions on the micro-level. To overcome this limitation, this conceptual paper introduces the interaction perspective on coopetition, which allows us to uncover the microfoundations of the cooperation-competition interplay that bring about shifts in coopetitive relationships. By focusing researchers' attention on managers' reflecting-in-action, coopetition work that propels temporal interactions, and the relational embeddedness of their interactions, the interaction perspective helps us better understand the dynamic nature of coopetition and uncover the coopetitive dynamics feeding into the coopetition interplay and triggering moves towards new relational states. This paper makes four key contributions to the coopetition literature, outlines methodological implications of the suggested interaction perspective, and identifies avenues for further research.

To fight or not? product introduction and channel selection in the presence of a platform’s private label

Platform retailers’ private labels have recently flourished, threatening the business of traditional national brand (NB) sellers. To fight against these platforms, some NB sellers introduce new products as low-quality substitutes through marketplace channels or exclusive channels. This raises a question: Considering the existence of a platform’s private label, how does an NB seller’s fight/no-fight strategy affect the co-opetition relationship between the two players? In this paper, we construct a game-theoretic model to explore the optimal response strategy of the NB seller. Our study shows that the interaction between the expansion effect and the cannibalization effect can lead to outcomes in which the no-fight strategy benefits the NB seller and the fight strategy benefits the platform. We find that for the NB seller, introducing a new low-quality product through a marketplace channel may be more profitable than doing so through an exclusive channel, particularly when the expansion effect is large and the quality difference is small. We also find that new product introduction as a fight strategy may cause a win–win situation for the NB seller and the platform when done through a marketplace channel with a large expansion effect. An intriguing result of the extension is that the NB seller may switch from the marketplace channel to the exclusive channel as the operating cost in the exclusive channel increases. This work provides valuable managerial insights for NB sellers in response to strategic competition with platforms’ private labels.

Supply chain channel structure with online platform and dual-purpose firms

This study examines the equilibrium channel structure strategy in a supply chain where a manufacturer can sell products to consumers via/on an online platform, and firms may focus on both profit and consumer surplus. We consider three supply chain channel structures: a reselling channel (mode R), wherein the platform acts as the reseller; an agency channel (mode A), wherein the platform acts as the marketplace; and a dual channel (mode D), wherein the platform acts as both the reseller and marketplace. This study explores the strategic effect of the dual-purpose concern on the co-opetition relationship of firms and derives ramifications for the optimal channel structure. First, the platform may abandon mode A when the manufacturer’s consumer surplus concern is high, even if the commission rate is high. This is because the manufacturer’s sales revenue may be harmed by the higher selling quantity and lower price resulting from the increased concern of consumer surplus in mode A. The manufacturer prefers mode D (mode R) only when the commission rate is low (high). However, the supply chain may prefer mode R (mode D) when the platform’s consumer surplus concern is high (low) irrespective of the commission rate. Second, with dual-purpose firms, both the platform and manufacturer may prefer mode R (mode D) when the commission rate is medium and the platform’s consumer surplus concern is high (low). Third, mode A is beneficial to consumer surplus and social welfare as long as agency selling is viable, which occurs when the consumer surplus concern and the commission rate are not too high; otherwise, mode D is the optimal choice, because it enables the supply chain to sell products to consumers in a more flexible way. Finally, the results are robust to a parsimonious dual-purpose platform, an imperfect competitive market, price competition with a dominant platform, multiple competing manufacturers, and a non-zero slotting fee.

Government regulation, horizontal coopetition, and low-carbon technology innovation: A tripartite evolutionary game analysis of government and homogeneous energy enterprises

Low-carbon technology innovation (LCTI) is key to achieving energy conservation and emission reduction. As the main body of carbon emissions, accelerating the promotion of energy enterprises' LCTI is urgently needed. Based on the importance of horizontal coopetition and government regulation for enterprises' LCTI, this paper establishes a tripartite evolutionary game model of local government and two homogeneous energy enterprises to clarify their dynamic behavior strategies. Furthermore, through numerical simulation, a sensitivity analysis of the effect of the main parameter changes on all parties' evolution is carried out. Moreover, we obtained the accurate optimal value of S&P (subsidies and penalties) by using a combination of random jumping and L-BFGS-B method. The findings indicate that (i) increasing the initial willingness of government and enterprises can facilitate faster system evolution towards optimal state. Early governmental intervention can be beneficial in preventing negative behavior of enterprises. (ii) There exists optimal range, and even optimal level, for government S&P, with penalties being more effective than subsidies in promoting LCTI. (iii)Low coopetition is ineffective while the intensity of coopetitive relationship is positively correlated with its’ effect. (iiii) Small-scale enterprises are more sensitive to changes in S&P measures and coopetition relationships.

The co-opetition relationships of critical mineral resources for the solar PV industry between China and the world major powers

Under the background of carbon neutrality, the solar PV will usher in a rapid development stage. The international co-opetition for solar PV critical mineral resources is getting unprecedentedly intense especially among the world's major powers. Based on the niche theory and a panel dataset of chromium, gallium, copper and platinum in 2008–2020, this research has created an evaluation system for the ecological co-opetition in solar PV critical mineral resources, then analyzed the dynamic evolution trends of China, United States, Japan and European Union using eco-niche models. The results demonstrate that: (1) Distinct differences exist in the overall competitive advantages for solar PV critical minerals between these four countries. The competitive advantage rankings from strong to weak are USA, China, Japan and the EU; However, the EU possesses most available critical mineral resources, followed by the USA and Japan, whereas China has the least, revealing a complex competition pattern among the four major powers; (2) The competition for solar PV critical mineral resources between these nations has intensified since 2017. The competition between the United States and Japan is the most intense; in terms of the competition China is faced with, the United States is the most competitive, followed by Japan and the EU; and (3) The technological innovation in solar PV critical minerals has a significant impact on the ecological niche of these countries with a great heterogeneity. Finally, this research puts forward corresponding policy recommendations.

When Sharing Economy Meets Traditional Business: Coopetition Between Ride-Sharing Platforms and Car-Rental Firms

Coopetition has been a common practice, especially among emerging markets. The coopetition relationship between a ride-sharing platform and a car-rental firm is distinct in that they operate under two different business models. Although the platform controls both its demand and supply by setting rider prices and driver wages, the car-rental firm operates under the traditional model with a fixed supply and cost structure. Both the platform and car-rental firm compete for riders seeking transportation. If the two cooperate, a driver is allowed to rent from the rental firm and drive for the platform; otherwise, only those owning personal vehicles are allowed to drive for the platform. We show that such supply-side cooperation intensifies demand-side price competition and decreases total revenue. Therefore, coopetition is mutually beneficial only when it leads to a significant decrease in supply costs. We find that the two firms are likely to form a coopetition relationship when the total rider market size is not high, the degree of rider substitutability between the two firms is low, and the platform has a significant market-size advantage over the rental firm. Coopetition between the platform and the rental firm benefits riders and hurts drivers, but it benefits society overall.

Improving resilience via capacity allocation and strategic pricing: Co-opetition in a shipping supply chain

The shipping industry has witnessed fiercer competition and more volatility. As a new source to increase profits, more and more liner companies are beginning to encroach on the downstream market, forming a co-opetition relationship between liner companies and freight forwarders. Insufficient (globally or regionally) capacity is also becoming a common problem to liner companies. This paper uses a game-theoretical model to study how can resilience be improved through capacity allocation and pricing in a shipping supply chain with insufficient capacity. We solve the model analytically and find that: The establishment of a direct selling platform (encroachment) helps the liner company to expand his competitive advantages, the price and profit of the liner company are higher than the counterparts of the freight forwarder. Moreover, with the spot market, deliberate capacity allocation and pricing strategy can help to enhance supply chain resilience in case of capacity shortage.