From Cooperation to Coopetition and Business Ecosystems

This chapter is devoted to an analysis of cooperative relationships, networks, and coopetition. The different types of agreements and the main theoretical approaches of cooperation are presented. The chapter explores the evolution of cooperation within inter-organizational networks and the emergence of other networks such as business ecosystems. The concept of coopetition, defined as the ability of the organization to compete and to cooperate simultaneously with other firms in particular within business ecosystems, is discussed. The chapter introduces a different perspective of coopetition linked with the notions of strategic alliances and business ecosystems.