David and Goliath: causes and effects of coopetition between start-ups and corporates

Wolfgang Hora (), Johanna Gast (), Norbert Kailer (), Andrea Rey-Marti () and Alicia Mas-Tur ()
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Wolfgang Hora: University of Liechtenstein
Johanna Gast: Montpellier Business School – MRM
Norbert Kailer: Johannes Kepler University Linz
Andrea Rey-Marti: Universitat de València
Alicia Mas-Tur: Universitat de València

Review of Managerial Science, 2018, vol. 12, issue 2, No 3, 439 pages

Abstract: Abstract Coopetition (collaboration between competitors) among young firms (i.e. start-ups) and larger, more established firms (i.e. corporates) may be beneficial for both partners as each party typically has something to offer that is missing in the other. Start-ups often develop innovative ideas, are flexible and agile, willing to take risks, and aspire to achieve high growth, but they tend to lack the required resources, capabilities, and knowledge due to their newness and smallness. Corporates have resources, routines, and experience that enable them to work efficiently but lack a certain innovation capability. Research has suggested that coopetition represents an opportunity for start-ups facing restrictions in resources, while corporates benefit from start-ups’ innovative ideas. However, it is yet unknown whether start-ups and corporates engage in coopetition with each other and, if so, how and why they do this. This study seeks to fill this void by exploring the motives of coopeting start-ups and corporates, how they manage their coopetitive relationship, and what implications occur including potential benefits and risks. We present a multiple case study based on qualitative data collected through 70 interviews with Austrian-based start-ups and corporates representing 35 coopetitive partnerships. Discussing the findings based on our data, we propose relationships concerning coopetition and its role to enlarge resource- and technology-bases as well as its role in the development of dynamic capabilities.

Keywords: Coopetition; Collaboration; Inter-firm relationships; Start-ups; New ventures; Corporates; Established firms; Dynamic capabilities (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: L14 L26 M13 M20 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (10)

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DOI: 10.1007/s11846-017-0273-9

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