Title: Editorial - From paradox to practice: the rise of coopetition strategies

Authors: Wojciech Czakon; Anne-Sophie Fernandez; Anna Minà

Addresses: Faculty of Management, University of Economics in Katowice, Ul. Bogucicka 14, PC: 40-226 Katowice, Poland ' Institute of Management, Montpellier 1 University, Espace Richter, Rue Vendémiaire, CS 19519, 34960 Montpellier Cedex, France ' Department 'Economia e Impresa', University of Economics and Business in Catania, Corso Italia, 55 – 95129 Catania, Italy

Abstract: What is a paradox? What are the consequences of naming a paradox for the actors involved in it? Coopetition strategies, defined as simultaneous competition and collaboration relationships between the same actors, represent a major paradoxical situation. Because of their paradoxical nature, coopetition strategies recently became an essential challenge for conceptualising a studied reality, but also for those who are experiencing the paradox as well. This special issue aims to contribute to the development of coopetition theory in shedding new light on the paradoxical nature of coopetition strategies. The questioning is mainly related to the definition of the concept, the appropriate level of analysis and the implementation of the coopetition process. The selection of articles focuses on the inner heterogeneity of coopetition, on the tensions arising while implementing coopetition process, and on the outcomes. They provide core operational and managerial insights.

Keywords: coopetition strategies; paradox; tensions; performance; typology.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBE.2014.058040

International Journal of Business Environment, 2014 Vol.6 No.1, pp.1 - 10

Published online: 21 Jun 2014 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article