Coopetition in supply chain management: patterns, typology and propositions

Purpose This study aims to unravel the complex coopetitive interactions in supply chains. It delves into the paradoxical relationship between cooperative and competitive interactions among supply chain entities, offering a comprehensive exploration of coopetition’s manifestations and management across various supply chain types. Design/methodology/approach The study uses a three-phase methodology, beginning with a scoping review to establish a theoretical framework, followed by a systematic literature review yielding 130 papers and concluding with correspondence analysis using similarity indexes. This approach facilitates a deep dive into the diverse aspects of coopetition, including its drivers, practices, outcomes and associated risks. Findings The research identifies three distinct types of coopetition in supply chains: technology-based, socially based and channel-based. These models are underscored by specific drivers and outcomes, with technology-based coopetition focusing on market competitiveness and operational capacity, socially based on trust and power dynamics and channel based on product characteristics. The study introduces five propositions for further investigation and provides a comprehensive typology of coopetition within supply chains. Research limitations/implications The study’s findings are limited by the scope of the existing literature and the chosen academic databases. Future research should empirically validate the proposed coopetition configurations and propositions, exploring their applicability in other, less studied supply chains. Practical implications The study offers practitioners a valuable typology and framework to understand and manage coopetition in their respective supply chains. This typology serves as a decision-making tool for identifying suitable coopetition strategies and maximizing their benefits while mitigating associated risks. Originality/value This study stands out for its unique approach to categorizing coopetition in supply chains, offering a novel typology that goes beyond the manufacturer’s perspective. It fills a significant gap in the literature by providing a broad view of coopetition, considering various supply chain types and their respective coopetitive dynamics.