Intraorganizational Networks

Purpose
This paper analyzes important theoretical work conducted in the research streams of co-opetition and innovation as catalysts of organizational performance. It is noteworthy that while technological innovation and economic performances appear as beneficial outcomes of inter-organizational co-opetition, academic research has not systematically examined organizational performance outcomes in intra-firm co-opetition settings. This study therefore aims to explore the nature of co-opetitive dynamics within the firm. In light of this, knowledge processes contributing to enhance organizational performance and capabilities are presented in the paper.

Design/methodology/approach
The paper examines and compares co-opetitive dynamics in different contexts, by adopting a multi-level approach to help understand and analyze the complex phenomenon of intra-organizational co-opetition. In particular, existing academic contributions are examined, in an attempt to identify relevant links between co-opetition and innovation.

Findings
The knowledge-based perspective used to analyze the potential of co-opetition at the firm level brings a first representation of how knowledge value creation is achieved and sustained through KM oriented strategies. A framework for co-opetition dynamics within the organization  is also introduced and focuses on intra-firm relationships that result in value creation.

Originality/value
This study complements previous research limited to inter-organizational settings. This is the first attempt to link internal co-opetition to firm’s managerial practices.  The paper thus contributes to develop the field of strategic management and brings additional insights for KM practitioners, by considering the impact of co-opetition on knowledge dynamics.

Keywords: Co-opetition, Intra-organizational, Value creation, Knowledge management, Organizational performance

This paper analyzes important theoretical work conducted in the research streams of co-opetition and innovation as catalysts of organizational performance. It is noteworthy that while technological innovation and economic performances appear as beneficial outcomes of inter-organizational co-opetition, academic research has not systematically examined organizational performance outcomes in intra-firm co-opetition settings. This study therefore aims to explore the nature of co-opetitive dynamics within the firm. In light of this, knowledge processes contributing to enhance organizational performance and capabilities are presented in the paper. Design/methodology/approach The paper examines and compares co-opetitive dynamics in different contexts, by adopting a multi-level approach to help understand and analyze the complex phenomenon of intra-organizational co-opetition. In particular, existing academic contributions are examined, in an attempt to identify relevant links between co-op...

This paper analyzes important theoretical work conducted in the research streams of co-opetition and innovation as catalysts of organizational performance. It is noteworthy that while technological innovation and economic performances appear as beneficial outcomes of inter-organizational co-opetition, academic research has not systematically examined organizational performance outcomes in intra-firm co-opetition settings. This study therefore aims to explore the nature of co-opetitive dynamics within the firm. In light of this, knowledge processes contributing to enhance organizational performance and capabilities are presented in the paper. Design/methodology/approach The paper examines and compares co-opetitive dynamics in different contexts, by adopting a multi-level approach to help understand and analyze the complex phenomenon of intra-organizational co-opetition. In particular, existing academic contributions are examined, in an attempt to identify relevant links between co-op...

As a concept providing a new understanding of inter-firm relationships, co-opetition shapes new perspectives of strategic advantage in a context of hypercompetitive environment. However, despite growing literature examining inter-organizational co-opetition, the research field has been little investigated in terms of the nature, dynamics and sustainability of the phenomenon within firms.
                                                     
The aim of this paper is to define the role of intra-organizational co-opetition in leveraging and supporting knowledge-based innovation through ambidexterity. More precisely, the multi-level perspective used to analyze the potential of intra-organizational co-opetition leads to a first representation of the ways and means by which organizational ambidexterity is achieved at the micro-level.

Supported by the identification of critical knowledge processes, this research aims to extend the understanding of internal co-opetition. It also proposes novel academic and managerial insights aiming to reinforce organizational sustainability, and contributes to appreciate a knowledge-based framework as enabler of the development of firms' dynamic capabilities.

Keywords: Intra-organizational dynamics, Co-opetition, knowledge-based innovation, Organizational ambidexterity, Paradox theory

A partir da perspectiva da análise de redes sociais no contexto organizacional, buscou-se evidências de como a estrutura das relações sociais influencia os vínculos dos trabalhadores com suas organizações, mais especificamente, o comprometimento organizacional, o entrincheiramento organizacional e o consentimento organizacional. Para responder a essa questão, foram coletados dados referentes a seis grupos de trabalhadores de diferentes empresas em um delineamento transversal e prioritariamente quantitativo, totalizando 172 participantes, aos quais foi aplicado um questionário contendo a medida da rede social de confiança e as escalas para medir os três vínculos com a organização, previamente validadas. Foram utilizadas regressões múltiplas (método stepwise) identificando-se cada um dos preditores relacionais, analisados em três níveis de imersão: posicional, relacional e estrutural. Cada um dos vínculos apresenta, entre seus antecedentes, variáveis relacionais que auxiliam na explicação da intensidade dos construtos analisados e que os diferenciam em termos de preditores. Indicadores de coesão grupal afetam mais fortemente o entrincheiramento e, sobretudo, o consentimento organizacional. Novos estudos podem ampliar a contribuição de como a imersão social no contexto organizacional pode afetar a natureza e a intensidade dos vínculos do trabalhador com a organização.

The increasing number of publications focusing on the concept of coopetition stands in contrast to competition research, by attempting to address and understand the interplay between cooperative and competitive interactions. This emergent research stream has benefited from numerous theoretical, less often empirical studies, attempting to describe the cooperation/competition balance at various levels of analysis: the individual, organizational, inter-organizational and network levels. Yet, research at the firm level is still scarce, and no study has specifically explored the coopetition phenomenon in post-acquisition settings. This chapter aims to address this issue, by discussing the coopetition dynamics that emerge among units and firms that belong to the same organization. The original value of this study lies in the development, review and assessment of a new framework, which combines cooperative and competitive forces within organizations, while offering new grounds for theoretical developments around the concept of coopetition. Coopetitive relationships influence organizational structures, policies, as well as coordination processes between the partner firms. Finally, the research proposes theoretical as well as operational implications for the management of intra-organizational interactions in late integration phases. These are reviewed as to the strategic decisions that are required for the management of intellectual assets and of corporate risk-adjustment schemes.

Keywords: Coopetition, Mergers and acquisitions, Intra-organizational dynamics, Knowledge flows, Competitive advantage

A partir da perspectiva da análise de redes sociais no contexto organizacional, buscou-se evidências de como a estrutura das relações sociais influencia os vínculos dos trabalhadores com suas organizações, mais especificamente, o comprometimento organizacional, o entrincheiramento organizacional e o consentimento organizacional. Para responder a essa questão, foram coletados dados referentes a seis grupos de trabalhadores de diferentes empresas em um delineamento transversal e prioritariamente quantitativo, totalizando 172 participantes, aos quais foi aplicado um questionário contendo a medida da rede social de confiança e as escalas para medir os três vínculos com a organização, previamente validadas. Foram utilizadas regressões múltiplas (método stepwise) identificando-se cada um dos preditores relacionais, analisados em três níveis de imersão: posicional, relacional e estrutural. Cada um dos vínculos apresenta, entre seus antecedentes, variáveis relacionais que auxiliam na explic...

Dr. Robert M. Cutler was educated at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and The University of Michigan. He is Practitioner Member, Waterloo Institute for Complexity and Innovation, University of Waterloo; Senior Research Fellow and Director, Energy Security Program, NATO Association of Canada; and Past Chair, Board of Directors, Montreal Press Club. He cut his teeth on media systems and decision-making by analyzing how the Soviet foreign-propaganda making system affected Soviet foreign-policy making in the 1970s. After over a dozen years in major international universities, he expanded into policy analysis, consulting and journalism, focusing on Strategic Communications and Organizational Design.
He has published dozens of refereed academic articles, policy articles and book chapters, contributed op-ed columns to first-rank international newspapers, and is generally agreed to be an extraordinary editor. He has consulted to the private sector, NGOs, and governments; led policy and academic research teams; and produced briefings and analytical bulletins. He wrote the institutional design for the Consultative Assembly of Parliamentarians on the International Criminal Court and the Rule of Law. His profile in European and Eurasian energy diplomacy is also highly recognized. His organizational proposals on how to promote the European Union’s energy cooperation with the Caspian Sea region countries were formally endorsed by the European Parliament and implemented by the European Commission.