Coopetition in social entrepreneurship: a strategy for social value devolution
International Journal of Emerging Markets
ISSN: 1746-8809
Article publication date: 17 August 2021
Issue publication date: 14 November 2023
Abstract
Purpose
Coopetition is a well-studied phenomenon in traditional enterprises. However, it lacks deepening in the social sphere, specifically on hybrid organizations (social and commercial goals). This paper analyzes the configuration of coopetition strategies in social enterprises and how these strategies can improve social value devolution.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors conducted a multicase study with Brazilian social enterprises and a social incubator. Semistructured interviews with founders of the social enterprises and the president of the incubator were the primary sources of evidence, supported by observations and secondary data.
Findings
The authors identified four main findings: (1) the social incubator induces coopetition among social enterprises; (2) coopetition is necessary to improve market performance; (3) coopetition is a natural strategy resulting from the activity of the social enterprise; (4) the behavior and context of social enterprises generate a new framework for coopetition formation. This framework comprises three stages of value: a social cooperation level to co-creation of value; second, a social competition level to the appropriation of value; and the third coopetition-balanced level to social value devolution.
Originality/value
The authors advance knowledge on coopetition in an exciting, underexplored context, social entrepreneurship. The authors highlight that the coopetition nature and outcome in social enterprises have specificities compared to traditional businesses. The authors also improve the understanding of social value devolution based on simultaneous cooperation and competition among small social enterprises, allowing theoretical and practical implications. Thus, they advance the recurring discussion in coopetition literature beyond the generation and appropriation of value.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Corrigendum: It has come to the attention of the publisher that the article: Nascimento, L.d.S., da Costa Júnior, J.C., Salazar, V.S. and Chim-Miki, A.F. (2021), “Coopetition in social entrepreneurship: a strategy for social value devolution”, International Journal of Emerging Markets, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOEM-09-2020-1062 mistakenly claimed that Herbst, J.M. (2019), “Harnessing sustainable development from niche marketing and coopetition in social enterprises”, Business Strategy and Development, Vol. 2 No. 3, pp. 152-165 did not consider social enterprises as hybrid organisations. At the authors request amendments have been made to sections 2.1 and 5 to accurately reflect Herbst's work. The authors sincerely apologise to Herbst for any inconvenience caused.
Funding: This research was funded by Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)
Citation
Nascimento, L.d.S., da Costa Júnior, J.C., Salazar, V.S. and Chim-Miki, A.F. (2023), "Coopetition in social entrepreneurship: a strategy for social value devolution", International Journal of Emerging Markets, Vol. 18 No. 9, pp. 2176-2197. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOEM-09-2020-1062
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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