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Understanding Coopetition Within Multinational Corporations: The Perspective of Relationship Between Subsidiaries

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  • Wioletta Mierzejewska

    (Warsaw School of Economics)

Abstract

Coopetition has been the topic of a widespread discussion in the recent years. However, not all problems and types of the coopetition have been sufficiently recognized. Research on the interfirm coopetition is very well developed, whereas intrafirm coopetition is still emerging. The study fulfills this gap by exploring in the quantitative manner the intensity and areas of the coopetition within 81 multinational corporations (MNCs). It is one among few studies concerning the coopetition within MNCs and it complements the previous studies on relations between subsidiaries within whole MNCs. Findings of the study reveal that between subsidiaries, like between independent firms, the mixture of cooperation and competition can be found. However, the cooperation prevails and the competition is not a frequent relation. Thus, the dominant type of coopetition within MNCs is the cooperation-driven coopetition. Additionally, the study finds that the cooperation emerges in primary and support activities, whereas the competition mainly in support activities of the value chain. Consequently, the study provides better understanding of coopetitive relations between subsidiaries within MNCs and expands knowledge on the intrafirm coopetition by underlining the differences between inter- and intrafirm coopetition.

Suggested Citation

  • Wioletta Mierzejewska, 2022. "Understanding Coopetition Within Multinational Corporations: The Perspective of Relationship Between Subsidiaries," Global Journal of Flexible Systems Management, Springer;Global Institute of Flexible Systems Management, vol. 23(3), pages 371-385, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:gjofsm:v:23:y:2022:i:3:d:10.1007_s40171-022-00306-z
    DOI: 10.1007/s40171-022-00306-z
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    Cited by:

    1. Wioletta Mierzejewska & Maria Aluchna & Emilia Tomczyk, 2023. "Do coopetition and cohesion of business groups stimulate their innovation performance?," DECISION: Official Journal of the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta, Springer;Indian Institute of Management Calcutta, vol. 50(2), pages 153-168, June.
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    3. Tatiana N. Litvinova & Nodira B. Abdusalomova & Tatiana A. Dugina & Igor V. Denisov, 2024. "Change Management Based on Smart Technologies for Sustainable Business Development," Global Journal of Flexible Systems Management, Springer;Global Institute of Flexible Systems Management, vol. 25(1), pages 17-30, September.

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