Strategizing Entrepreneurial Coopetitive Interactions

Coopetitive relationships are central to numerous aspects of the entrepreneurial process. Yet, we lack research addressing how entrepreneurs strategize coopetitive interactions. Drawing on the interactive perspective as devised by the Industrial Marketing and Purchasing group, this research seeks to further our understanding of entrepreneurial coopetitive strategizing within a network. Using the craft brewing and artisan food sectors as an empirical base, the authors use an abductive case study approach, drawing from semi-structured interviews, social media data, in addition to information available online. Offering a multilevel analysis, our findings suggest five forms of coopetitive strategizing, which influence and are influenced by the entrepreneurial mindset and the wider socio-economic environment - both of which continually shape the coopetitive landscape. Our chapter moves the coopetition discussion beyond the drivers and outcomes of entrepreneurial coopetition, analysing interactions and the way coopetition is strategized from a network perspective. For entrepreneurs, our findings offer strategic insights for engaging in coopetitive business-to-business interactions.