Coopetition within SME's - Development of a conceptual framework for successful coopetition
Author
Hansen, Martin Alexander Ingerslev
Term
4. Term
Publication year
2017
Submitted on
2017-11-15
Pages
50
Abstract
This thesis presents a conceptual study of coopetition—simultaneous cooperation and competition—among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with a focus on innovation. It examines which factors drive success or failure in SME coopetition for innovation, how these factors can be explained, and how managers can improve their chances of success. Using a systematic literature review that prioritizes studies on SMEs, coopetition, and innovation, the thesis compares and synthesizes findings into a conceptual framework. Four recurrent success factors emerge: the balance and intensity of cooperation and competition, trust, activity/commitment, and social capital. The framework is interpreted through social exchange theory, which views interactions as reciprocal exchanges assessed against alternatives and explains how positive, committed interactions build trust over time. The study aims to give managers a clear basis for what to prioritize when entering or managing coopetitive relationships to support new product development. It is motivated by SMEs’ resource constraints and growing evidence that coopetition can enhance innovation, while noting the field still lacks an overarching view of success factors.
Denne afhandling er et konceptuelt studie af coopetition—samtidigt samarbejde og konkurrence—blandt små og mellemstore virksomheder (SMV’er) med fokus på innovation. Den undersøger, hvilke faktorer der driver succes eller fiasko i SMV-coopetition for innovation, hvordan disse kan forklares, og hvordan ledere kan øge deres chance for succes. Via et systematisk litteraturreview, der prioriterer studier om SMV’er, coopetition og innovation, sammenlignes og syntetiseres resultater i et konceptuelt rammeværk. Fire gennemgående succesfaktorer identificeres: balance og intensitet mellem samarbejde og konkurrence, tillid, aktivitet/commitment og social kapital. Rammeværket fortolkes gennem social udvekslingsteori, som ser interaktioner som gensidige udvekslinger vurderet op mod alternativer og forklarer, hvordan positive, forpligtende interaktioner opbygger tillid over tid. Studiet har til formål at give ledere et overskueligt grundlag for, hvad de bør prioritere, når de indgår eller styrer coopetitive relationer til støtte for produktudvikling. Motivationens baggrund er SMV’ers begrænsede ressourcer og voksende evidens for, at coopetition kan styrke innovation, samtidig med at feltet endnu mangler en samlet oversigt over succesfaktorer.
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