Coopetition Networks Research Articles

Enhancing customer satisfaction through IIoT-Enabled coopetition: Strategic insights and impacts

This research investigates the significant role of Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) to enable Coopetition Network Practices (CNPs) in enhancing the performance of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) within the context of global digital supply chains. Employing a quantitative approach, our study reveals that CNPs contribute to a noTable 51.0 % improvement in factors determining customer satisfaction. This underscores the strategic importance of blending competition with collaboration to refine production processes and align with consumer expectations. Additionally, the research presents a remarkable 69.1 % boost in operational consistency and reports substantial progress in manufacturing flexibility and the value-to-weight ratio, witnessing increases of 125.8 % and 33.2 %, respectively. These improvements are pivotal in optimizing production resources, which in turn, have led to a 29.3 % decrease in customer complaints and a 15.6 % rise in on-time delivery rates. Conversely, a slight decline in the consistency of the value-to-weight ratio was observed, pointing to potential areas for future research. The findings decisively show that CNPs offer concrete advantages by enhancing customer satisfaction determinants and operational efficiency in SMEs. The paper advocates for future studies to directly measure customer satisfaction and to formulate actionable guidelines for the effective implementation of coopetition strategies. This proposed research direction aims to provide solutions to the manufacturing sector's emerging challenges, thereby promoting competitive advantage and growth in the digital era.

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.

Designing the future of coopetition: An IIoT approach for empowering SME networks

In an era where Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) redefine the boundaries of competition and collaboration, the concept of coopetition — simultaneous competition and cooperation — emerges as a strategic imperative for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This study presents the design and development of an Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) artefact designed to enable competition among SMEs. Bringing the Service-Dominant Logic (S-D logic) foundations to IIoT, a Design Science Research (DSR) approach was employed. This approach facilitated the integration of design theory with practical problem-solving, creating the Coopetition IIoT-based System. The primary goal of this solution is to augment the dynamics of coopetition networks, with a particular focus on SMEs. The practical evaluation of the Coopetition IIoT-based System is assessed through a prototype evaluation by experts representing twenty-four manufacturing stone SMEs, a crucial sector in the Portuguese economy. The feedback received was highly positive, indicating a positive evaluation rate of 78.9%. This favourable response highlights the Coopetition IIoT-based System’s proficiency in fostering simultaneous competition and cooperation throughout the lifecycle of business opportunities in SME networks, thereby underscoring its potential as a facilitator of effective competition. Theoretically, this research enriches the application of S-D logic in coopetition networks and advances state-of-the-art IIoT systems. Practically, the Coopetition IIoT-based System demonstrates significant potential in boosting the competitiveness of SMEs in developed economies. Nonetheless, the ultimate efficacy of such IIoT systems will be best determined through real-world application and evaluation. Future research should concentrate on the real-case deployment and assessment of Coopetition IIoT-based Systems within coopetition networks.

Unpacking interplays between competitiveness, cooperativeness, and social comparison orientation: A network psychometric approach and replication.

Emerging evidence highlights the role of social comparison in competition and cooperation, yet the dynamics among competitiveness, cooperativeness, and social comparison orientation (SCO) remain underexplored. In the present study, we sought to unravel these complex interplays employing graphical Gaussian models (GGMs) and characterize the network structures utilizing cross-sectional data derived from 1073 Chinese participants. A pre-registered independent sample (n = 1348) served to examine the replicability and robustness of our initial findings. Moreover, we explored the Bayesian networks (i.e., directed acyclic graphs) to delve into their probabilistic directed dependencies. Our analysis identified an interpersonal co-opetition network where SCO bridges competitiveness and cooperativeness, emphasizing the key influence of the desire to surpass others. We also found a significant gender effect on the levels of these orientations but not on the network patterns. Additionally, the replication sample offered validation for the resultant network structure and its key nodes. In sum, these findings provide a new insight into the symbiotic relationship between competitiveness and cooperativeness within the framework of social comparison, offering significant theoretical and practical implications.

Value Creation in Technology-Driven Ecosystems: Role of Coopetition in Industrial Networks

Coopetition, while offering significant strategic advantages, presents challenges in maintaining long-term collaboration among competitors, often due to a lack of perceived value for the participating actors. This study explores the role of technology in overcoming these challenges by applying the Service-Dominant Logic (S-D Logic) framework to investigate how technology-driven networks can enhance value co-creation among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The study hypothesizes that transitioning to technology-driven coopetition networks can substantially improve value co-creation. To test this hypothesis, the research critically evaluates existing theoretical approaches to coopetition, identifies gaps in understanding value creation mechanisms, and implements an experimental technology-driven coopetition network leveraging Internet of Things (IoT) technology. The research design is applied explicitly to the Portuguese ornamental stone industry, a significant economic and cultural sector. The findings confirm that technology-driven coopetition networks can enhance value co-creation and improve outputs. These results suggest that integrating technology into coopetition frameworks can provide a viable path to sustaining competitive advantages in SMEs.

Rethinking service blueprint for digital coopetition: A new framework for networked collaboration

This study adapts traditional service blueprint methodologies for technology-driven coopetition networks, where companies simultaneously collaborate and compete. Integrating insights from service science, we developed an enhanced service blueprint framework with three key components: the cyber frontstage Lane for digital interactions, the physical backstage Lane for physical operations, and the support stage lane for supporting processes. Empirical validation in the Portuguese stone sector demonstrated the framework’s effectiveness in identifying network dysfunctions and its ease of use for industry professionals. Feedback highlights its relevance in capturing the complexities of modern digital coopetition and managing interactions and resources. This research underscores the necessity of updating service blueprint methods to optimize service delivery and value co-creation in digitally evolving sectors.

Enhancing operational scale in SMEs through coopetition: Insights from the Portuguese ornamental stone industry

This study explores whether coopetition enhances scale determinants for SMEs, focusing on a case study in the Portuguese Ornamental Stone sector. The findings show that transitioning to coopetition networks positively impacts scale determinants in this sector. These improvements highlight coopetition's potential to drive operational efficiency, resource optimization, and market responsiveness, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 8, 9, and 12. However, the study's limitations include a specific focus on Portuguese SMEs and a limited data collection period, indicating the need for broader and longer-term research. Future research should extend to different sectors and regions, incorporate a broader range of KPIs, and consider external factors affecting coopetition outcomes. This would provide a more comprehensive understanding of coopetition's role in fostering sustainable growth and innovation in SMEs. This research contributes to theory by leveraging S-D Logic and open innovation to enhance coopetition, showcasing their practical application in SMEs.

Design Science for Networks Designing: A Service-Dominant Logic Approach

This research explores the dynamics of coopetition among Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) during digital transformation, using Design Science Research (DSR) anchored in Service-Dominant (S-D) Logic. It examines the integration challenges of manufacturing SMEs into digital supply chains, highlighting the critical role of coopetition—a blend of competition and collaboration—in driving sustainable growth in this essential sector. Prompted by a consensus on reducing SME vulnerabilities, the study underscores the need for a resilient framework, especially given an 85% attrition rate in digital networks where only a minority, often supported by giants like Amazon and Microsoft, succeeds long-term. The proposed framework focuses on leveraging technology to enhance SMEs' competitiveness, innovation, and growth. This study contributes to academic discourse by suggesting future research directions, such as defining value creation in coopetition networks and assessing the impact of innovative artefacts, but also reveals the potential of coopetition networks as platforms for mutual value creation. This research enriches scholarly discussions on coopetition in the digital age and offers strategic guidance for SMEs navigating digital transformation, aiming to prepare European SMEs for upcoming challenges and opportunities.

Data-Driven Optimal Bipartite Consensus Control for Second-Order Multiagent Systems via Policy Gradient Reinforcement Learning.

This article investigates the optimal bipartite consensus control (OBCC) problem for unknown second-order discrete-time multiagent systems (MASs). First, the coopetition network is constructed to describe the cooperative and competitive relationships between agents, and the OBCC problem is proposed by the tracking error and related performance index function. Based on the distributed policy gradient reinforcement learning (RL) theory, a data-driven distributed optimal control strategy is obtained to guarantee the bipartite consensus of all agents' position and velocity states. In addition, the offline data sets ensure the learning efficiency of the system. These data sets are generated by running the system in real time. Besides, the designed algorithm is an asynchronous version, which is essential to solve the challenge caused by the computational ability difference between nodes in MASs. Then, by means of the functional analysis and Lyapunov theory, the stability of the proposed MASs and the convergence of the learning process are analyzed. Furthermore, an actor-critic structure containing two neural networks is used to implement the proposed methods. Finally, a numerical simulation shows the effectiveness and validity of the results.

Leader-follower and leaderless bipartite formation-consensus over undirected coopetition networks and under proximity and collision-avoidance constraints

We propose a method to control networks involving both cooperative and competitive interactions simultaneously under proximity and collision-avoidance constraints. The control design is of gradient type, using a barrier-Lyapunov function. Then, under the assumption that the network is structurally balanced, we establish asymptotic stability of the leaderless and leader-follower bipartite formation-consensus manifold. We assume that the agents are modelled by second-order integrators, but we also demonstrate the utility of our theoretical findings via numerical simulations on a problem of formation-consensus control of nonholonomic vehicles.

A study of entrepreneurial marketing activities and firm performance in an immediate post-COVID-19 era: the moderating role of coopetition

Purpose Although earlier research suggests a positive relationship exists between engaging in entrepreneurial marketing activities and firm performance, there may be contingent issues that impact the association. This investigation unpacks the relationship between entrepreneurial marketing behaviour and firm performance under the moderating role of coopetition, in an immediate post-COVID-19 period.Design/methodology/approach A resource-based theoretical lens, alongside an outside-in perspective, underpins this study. Following 20 field interviews, survey responses via an online survey were obtained from 306 small, passive exporting wine producers with a domestic market focus in the United States. The data passed all major robustness checks.Findings The statistical findings indicated that entrepreneurial marketing activities positively and significantly influenced firm performance, while coopetition provided a non-significant moderation effect. Field interviews suggested that entrepreneurs’ attemps to scale up from passive to more active export activities in an immediate post-pandemic period helped explain the findings. Owner-managers rejoined trustworthy and complementary pre-pandemic coopetition partners in the immediate aftermath of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) for domestic market activities. In contrast, they had to minimise risks from dark-side/opportunistic behaviour when joining coopetition networks with partners while attempting to scale up export market activities.Originality/value Unique insights emerge to unpack the entrepreneurial marketing–performance relationship via the moderation effect of coopetition, namely, with the temporal setting of an immediate post-COVID-19 period. Firstly, new support arises regarding the likely performance-enhancing impact of owner-managers’ engagement in entrepreneurial marketing practices. Secondly, novel findings emerge in respect of the contrasting role of coopetition in both domestic and export market activities. Thirdly, new evidence arises in relation to a resource-based theoretical lens alongside an outside-in perspective, whereby, strategic flexibility in pivoting facets of a firm’s business model needs effective management following a crisis.

The Memory Influence on Opinion Dynamics in Coopetitive Social Networks: Analysis, Application, and Simulation

In social psychology, it is well known that the evolution of opinion dynamics in a society depends not only on the current opinions of individuals, but also on the past opinions stored in memory. However, it is still difficult to clearly characterize and analyze the memory influence on opinion dynamics in social networks, especially in coopetitive (cooperative and competitive) networks. In this paper, we propose a novel model of opinion dynamics to describe the memory influence in coopetitive networks. In this model, memory and memoryless communication rules are simultaneously proposed for the opinion update mechanism. In terms of the network topological structure and the graph spectrum, sufficient and/or necessary conditions are respectively established to ensure that the opinion is nonstationary polarization, nonstationary consensus and neutral. We employ the Kahneman's seminal experiment on choices in risky and riskless contexts to interpret the results obtained in the present paper. Simulation analysis shows that the memory capacity of the individual is inversely proportional to the speeds of the ultimate opinions formational, and the opinions reach a persistent disagreement when the individuals are very confident.

Modeling and Control of Wide-Area Networks

This paper provides a survey of recent research progress in mathematical modeling and distributed control of wide-area networks. Firstly, the modeling is introduced for two types of wide-area networks, i.e., coopetitive networks and cooperative networks, with the help of algebraic graph theory. Particularly, bipartite network topologies and cluster network topologies are introduced for coopetitive networks. With respect to cooperative networks, an intermittent clustered network modeling is presented. Then, some classical distributed control strategies are reviewed for wide-area networks to ensure some desired collective behaviors, such as consensus (or synchronization), bipartite consensus (or polarization), and cluster consensus (or fragmentation). Finally, some conclusions and future directions are summarized.

Analyzing the moderating role of coopetition network size on the impact of analytics capabilities, ambidexterity, and coopetition on firm performance

Analyzing the moderating role of coopetition network size on the impact of analytics capabilities, ambidexterity, and coopetition on firm performance

A multidimensional network analysis of rivals’ cooperation

The paper empirically elaborates and tests a novel measurement model called a complex model of network structure exploration (CMNSE). This new measurement model gauges simultaneously, on one hand, structural features of nodes with degree distribution, on the other hand, the spatial characteristics of edges of a real network are investigated with quadrat analysis. The topology of the newest form of an economic network called coopetitive network is tested by CMNSE. Empirical findings reveal that this coopetitive network does not have scale-free property since its degree exponent belongs to the anomalous regime. Moreover, the spatial position of a hub and nodes can be pinpointed with CMNSE highlighting that nodes are clustered significantly in the periphery of the networked space, but the hub is localized in the center of the network.

Multiple-bipartite consensus for networked Lagrangian systems without using neighbours' velocity information in the directed graph

This paper investigates the multiple-bipartite consensus problem without considering neighbours' velocity information in networked Lagrangian systems (NLSs). A distributed adaptive control algorithm without using neighbours' velocity information is proposed, which facilitates the practical configuration deployments in the coopetition networks. By borrowing a subtle vector composed of the eigenvector components associated with zero eigenvalue of Laplacian matrix, a novel reference estimated vector is introduced to conduct the stability analysis step-by-step in the coopetition networks. Finally, simulations are provided to show the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.

The synergistic effect of the industrial international competitiveness and coopetition network position on market share: evidence from global automobile industry

PurposeThis paper aims to examine how the firm’s global coopetition network position impacts market share and to explore the multiple moderating effects of trade network strength and structures on the relationship between firm global coopetition network position and market share.Design/methodology/approachThis paper selects global automobile manufacturing firms as samples whose classification is “Automobile” in the Factiva database from 2014 to 2018 and develops the measurement for global coopetition network and trade network by using Ucinet6. Finally, Stata was used for data analysis.FindingsThis paper finds that structural holes and centrality are beneficial to improve global market share. And the trade network strength and structures have positive multiple moderating effects on the relationship between the firm global coopetition network position and market share.Originality/valueThis paper explores industrial international competitiveness according to the intricate trade relations among countries and the impact of industrial international competitiveness on the relationship between global coopetition network position of brand firms and market share. The results of this paper expand the current literature on the relationship between characteristics of coopetition network and trade network.

Modeling and Complex Characteristics of Urban Subway Co-Opetition Network: A Case Study of Wuhan

In this study, to explore the co-opetition (competition–cooperation) relationship between urban subway lines, we constructed three directed weighted subway models of a competition network, cooperation network, and co-opetition network based on the Space R model of a complex network. Taking Wuhan, China, as the research area, we established a Wuhan subway co-opetition network and analyzed the network’s complex characteristics. Through the analysis, we found that the competition network, cooperation network, and co-opetition network are all scale-free networks that present the characteristics of a high-clustering and short-distance small-world network. The co-opetition relationship between subway lines was mostly of a conventional type (55.56%) and unrelated type (41.67%), with only cooperative-dominant types found among the conventional types. The co-opetition effect between lines in the long-term network increased from 7.616 to 15.17, and the relationship strength of the competition and cooperation between lines increased significantly. The competition effect deflection angle of all subway lines in the network was found to be smaller than the cooperation effect declination angle. Additionally, all lines had a significant role in cooperation within the network, and cooperation played a dominant role in the co-opetition relationship.

TUNA organisational environment and the needs of members of a co-opetition network, using the example of construction companies associated in the “stropy.pl” organisation

Purpose: The purpose of the study is to find out the needs of co-opetition network members in the building material market, under the conditions of the TUNA organisational environment. Design/methodology/approach: In order to test the research hypotheses, an empirical research method was applied, involving a standardised interview questionnaire carried out using the CAPI technique among the companies associated in the “Stropy.pl” co-opetition network. The survey involved 53 respondents. Findings: Under the conditions of the TUNA organisational environment, there occurred differences in assessments of the economic situation in the building material market by the members of the coopetition network. Differences in assessments of the economic situation in the building material market have a moderate to large positive impact on the differentiation of needs of the members of the co-opetition network. Improving the quality of panel floors was more important for those who expected a moderate or high economic situation compared to those who were very or little optimistic. On the other hand, those who were very or little optimistic paid more attention to the clarity of communication, more frequent contact with the head office and new materials regarding the cooperation with “Stropy.pl”. In contrast, those who expected moderate or high economic situation were more appreciative of the improved sales availability of panel floors and the personalisation of fittings. Research limitations/implications: In order to obtain a more complete picture of the needs of the building material market in Poland, in the context of the TUNA organisational environment, it is recommended to conduct further research with the participation of end- users of these materials. Practical implications: The applicability of the study relates to the possibilities for company managers to use knowledge about the needs of members of a co-opetition network in the building material market, in the context of the TUNA organisational environment. Originality/value: The conclusions of the study made it possible to identify the correlation between the TUNA organisational environment, causing discrepancies in assessments of the economic situation in the building material market, and the needs of members of a co-opetition network. Conducting considerations in relation to the building material industry market further enhances the originality of the study. Keywords: co-opetition, organisational environment, TUNA, building material market. Category of the paper: research paper.

Bipartite Consensus of Fuzzy Multiagent Systems on Multilayer Coopetition Networks Using Output Measurements and Its Application to Image Communication

Bipartite Consensus of Fuzzy Multiagent Systems on Multilayer Coopetition Networks Using Output Measurements and Its Application to Image Communication