Optimizing Between Firms: Horizontal Cooperation in the Age of AI

The studies are designed as a cumulative, platform-neutral research program. Each study remains independently readable, while the repository version provides a single citable record of the program. Study 1 establishes the conceptual model. Studies 2-6 extend it through measurement, compatibility, modularity, governance, and digital orchestration. Study 7 specifies a prospective field protocol for confronting the framework with observed coalition attempts; field results will be added only after observation. Market, jurisdiction, industry, platform, and implementation setting are recorded as contextual variables rather than treated as the object of the theory. CLAD may serve as one observational or assisted field setting, but it is not treated as evidence for the framework by virtue of being the author's implementation context. Each study ends with its own reference list so that it can be read and cited independently. A de-duplicated consolidated bibliography may be generated for the final repository release if useful, but is not required during the working-paper stage.