Co-Opetition in Network Relations Between Businesses

In the contemporary business world co-opetition plays a significant role in the relations between competitors. Co-opetition occurs not only between two competing sides but also in network relations. It may develop both within network relations and also between whole network systems. In the intra-network co-opetition the position of the companies depends on several factors: number and importance of concluded relations, access to strategic assets (tangible and intangible) and status. Intensity of intra-network co-opetition depends on the intensity of competitive and co-operative relations among its members. The inter-network co-opetition emerges mainly in the context of fierce competition for technological standards (e.g. Symbian vs. Microsoft). Co-opetition between network systems of the companies may appear both at the intra-network and inter-network levels. Dynamic development of network relations becomes both the cause and the result of enterprises' co-opetition.