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Co-Opetition, Cooperation and Competition

Introduction

Co-opetition, Cooperation and Competition, Special Issue of Industrial Marketing Management, Edited by Maria Bengtsson and S?ren Kock; Deadline 1 Mar 2012

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Call for papers

Co-opetition, Cooperation and Competition
Special Issue of Industrial Marketing Management
Deadline: March 1, 2012

Guest Editors

Maria Bengtsson, Umeå School of Business and Economics, Sweden
Sören Kock, Hanken School of Economics, Finland

The interest for research focusing on the complex relationships between competitors that cooperate has grown quite fast as the issues have become a part of every company’s daily agenda. The former industrial logic with sequential and corporate innovation processes have to a large extent been replaced by an industrial logic based on the ability to through networking integrate technology and strategic skills in the possession of different firms. This has changed the previously clear anchorage of various activities within the boundaries of an organization, which make the understanding of the network context important.

Furthermore, the well-defined roles that firms traditionally have been argued to play in a value chain is no longer evident. The customer in one project can at the same time be a competitor, supplier or partner in other projects. It is important to understand the network context to be able to navigate in a business environment were the roles of the different actors are continuously changing.

This development puts great demands not only on firms, but also on current research. Traditional network theory, which assumes that the relations between a firm and its customers and suppliers are well defined and clear, are challenged. Dynamic network models need to be developed that capture the dynamic interplay between actors in networks and accounts for the continuously changing roles that different actors play. Previous models and theories on temporary projects also need to be further developed. Traditional theories often presume that projects are organized within the boundaries of the firm and they are therefore lacking dimensions related to the continuous eroding of organization boundaries. Issues related to the changing business context will be discussed in this special issue and in the following some examples of specific issues of interest are given. Issues to deal with are:

  • Boundaries and boundary crossing in dynamic network contexts
  • How acquisitions, mergers, and industry shifts create dynamics in the organizations’ relationships to one and another
  • Tension and conflicts as a consequence of simultaneous cooperation and competition
  • Knowledge sharing and knowledge protection in co-opetition
  • Learning and trust in co-opetitive relationships
  • Innovation and co-opetetion
  • Other issues related mainly to co-opetition

The special issue solicits original contributions that were previously unpublished and are currently not under consideration by any other journal. Submissions that can provide a unique perspective using diverse methodological approaches are encouraged.

Submissions should be sent electronically as an e-mail attachment (MSWord files only!) to

Authors with questions about the acceptability of proposed topics are urged to contact the guest editors.

Authors should check the Guide for authors on the IMM web site for details on formatting all submissions:

Contact information:

Professor Maria Bengtsson, Umeå School of Business and Economics, University of Umeå, Sweden, maria.bengtsson@usbe.umu.se

Professor Sören Kock, Hanken School of Economics, Finland, soren.kock@hanken.fi