Companies coopetition in sustainable supply chains

Abstract

PURPOSE: The constantly demanding market requires new solutions to improve a company’s market share and its products or services quality. One of the solutions to improve supply chains is through maintaining coopetition relations with other supply chains on different business levels.

DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The presentation of the coopetition solution begins with a literature review. Based on the literature, a list of advantages and barriers was created. A survey with this list was carried out among 250 managers and directors in different companies. A number of organizations in coopetition relation, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic impact, was also examined. Data analysis shows the relationship between the size of the company, the type of activity, the place in the supply chain to the number of enterprises in the coopetition relationship and the impact of the determinant and the barriers to its application.

FINDINGS: The survey shows that 30% of the examined companies are in or have plans to establish coopetition relations. This result is promising for future market changes. The most important advantages of coopetition are the ensuring of product availability, making better use of resources, and gaining market advantage.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: This paper presents the advantages and the barriers of establishing correct coopetition relations and its importance for companies.

ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The coopetition relationship is an example of a relationship that can lead companies to greater competitive advantage. In particular, developing this relationship across supply chains can bring economies of scale to the entire supply chain.