Just wanted to let you know about two exciting panels at the upcoming SMS conference. Hope you can join us! Best regards.
Devi Gnyawali
Session 100: Coopetition Tension: Emerging Conceptual Issues
Track C, Monday Sept 13
9:45 – 11:00 ROOM Bramante 1
Session Chair:
Devi Gnyawali, Virginia Tech
Panelists:
Ravi Madhavan, University of Pittsburgh
Rhonda Reger, University of Maryland
Manish Srivastava, Michigan Technological University
Elena Rocco, University Ca' Foscari Venice
Abstract: Coopetition is extremely challenging due to diametrically opposing forces: value creation vs. appropriation, creation of common benefits vs. getting the larger proportion of the benefits, collaboration for common goal vs "race" to learn, and so on. These opposing forces create a lot of tension in coopetition relationships. This panel discussion will engage researchers from around the world to explore and understand coopetition tensions and will identify directions for future research. The panel consists of scholars with research expertise in coopetition, strategic alliances, competitive dynamics, and other related areas as well as an executive with experience in managing coopetition. The presentations will address issues from individual, group, organizational, and inter-organizational levels of analysis and will share and explore various conceptual perspectives on the topic.
Relevant questions for discussion.
• What theoretical perspectives are relevant in examining coopetition and coopetition tension?
• How has the construct "tension" been conceptualized in the extant literatures? What are the key research questions and conceptual frameworks for tension-based research in related disciplines?
• What are key dimensions of the construct coopetition tension? How does tension manifest itself in each dimension? How are the multiple dimensions interrelated to one another?
• Is coopetition tension really different from tension in strategic alliances?
• What role does organizational identity play in leading to and managing tension in coopetition?
• What relationship exists between coopetition tension and knowledge-related outcomes such as innovation and knowledge diffusion?
• How to empirically capture coopetition tension at various levels and in various dimensions?
Session 101
Diverse Perspectives on Understanding and Managing Coopetition Tension
Track C, Monday Sept 13
15:15 – 16:30 ROOM Bramante 1
Session Chairs:
Elena Rocco, University Ca' Foscari Venice
Vittorino Filippas, University of Trento
Panelists:
Paavo Ritala, Lappeenranta University of Technology
Frederic Le Roy, University of Montpellier, France
Devi Gnyawali, Virginia Tech
Abstract: Coopetition is considered a win-win strategy as firms engaged in coopetition could build on each-other's resources, share technological and market risks, address common opportunities and challenges, and therefore create value for each other. However, managers engaged in coopetition face numerous challenges due to high tension created by opposing forces of competition and collaboration. Firms that can understand and effectively manage tension are likely to develop mutually beneficial relationships and would create value for each other and could subsequently enhance their performance. Members of this panel will share their research regarding how coopetition tension impacts managers and how managers develop and pursue various approaches to deal with such tension.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
This session will build on the conceptual session and will focus on the practice of coopetition and ways in which managers could deal with tension in coopetition. We aim to prompt a fruitful discussion around two main questions and hope to stimulate innovative studies that can identify and investigate tools that can be effectively applied in dealing with coopetition and develop coopetition-oriented managers.
• Which capabilities are most important in dealing with coopetition and coopetition tension? We hope to address capabilities at multiple levels (individual, organizational, institutional).
• Which tools can scholars develop so as to support managers to deal with coopetition tension?
Devi R. Gnyawali, Ph.D.
Professor and Director of Graduate Programs
Department of Management (0233), 2106 Pamplin Hall
Pamplin College of Business, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA 24061
Phone: 540-231-5021, Email: devi@vt.edu