Strategic Advantages of Coopetition in Malaysia's Woodworking Industry: “A Case Study on Collaborative Practices and Their Impact on Stakeholders”

Coopetition unites strategic elements of collaboration and competition to let firms compete and cooperate simultaneously for higher mutual revenue generation. This study examines the advantages of this kind of strategic integration for Malaysian woodworking businesses, considering the difficulties in accessing materials, rising delivery expenses, and poor output quality. A qualitative research design included nine in-depth interviews with woodworking executives and owners operating in Negeri Sembilan and Johor, Malaysia. A group of knowledgeable industry experts completed purposive sampling to generate useful data for this study. A thematic analysis approach was applied to interview data while researchers enhanced data collection and analytical procedures to ensure research rigor. The research adopts both coopetition theory and the Resource-Based View (RBV) to demonstrate how organizations can achieve innovation and market growth alongside risk reduction through cooperative-competitive strategies. Among the nine participants, seven business leaders recognized advantages such as resource interchange, mutual development and profit growth, while two participants highlighted competition as a barrier to collaboration. This study addresses a research gap in the limited examination of coopetition within Malaysia's woodworking sector, offering new insights into how enterprises might establish collaborative strategies despite market competition. However, limitations in sample size and geographic considerations indicate the need for expanded national research or implementation across several businesses. The findings provide important information for participants in the industry, supporting the strategic use of cooperative-competitive strategies to enhance market positions, encourage innovation, and reduce financial risk. Future research should investigate the long-term effects of these strategies and how they might be used in additional emerging markets.