Katherine Gundolf

Coopetition research: towards a better understanding of past trends and future directions

Over the past two decades, coopetition received growing attention by practitioners and scholars worldwide with a wide range of subjects explored within the current body of literature. Despite the constantly growing number of scientific publications, the current literature lacks a comprehensive and critical overview of past and present research accomplishments. Based on the first citation analysis in this field, we present three topical clusters which help us to indicate the evolution path of coopetition research. Additionally, the current literature state is studied by means of a systematic literature review reflecting the major research avenues. By combining and comparing the results of these two analyses, the paper concludes by proposing possible future research directions. To advance our current understanding of coopetition, we suggest that forthcoming research explores coopetition in the contexts of startups and family firms and extends our knowledge on the protection mechanisms which are necessary for coopeting successfully.

Organisational innovation and coopetition between SMEs: a tertius strategies approach

Being vulnerable to environmental forces, small-and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) seek to supplement their insufficient resources by adopting coopetition strategies in order to reduce uncertainty. This longitudinal study of the union of wine producers in Pic Saint-Loup relies on 45 interviews conducted during multiple data collection moments and provides an understanding of how competing SMEs can develop cooperative strategies. In doing so, we present the development stages of coopetition strategies as well as the role of stakeholders in this development. Next, we accentuate the tertius strategies SME managers prefer to implement.

Transmission of family businesses in France

Purpose – The purpose of this research paper is to show to what extent psychological, cultural and behavioural factors can influence on the succession process in the particular case of family‐run businesses? Design/methodology/approach – Data on 12 directors of family‐run SME were grouped together on the basis of questions derived from the research question. To do this, the authors operated using a principle guided by cross referencing responses, that is, finding the incidence of elements that make it possible to justify substantively the existence of the category and the common existence of these elements within the cases studied. Findings – The thematic analysis performed made it possible to highlight five main motives for cultural and psychological resistance in former directors: the loss of power and influence, the risk of deconstruction, the loss of professional and social legitimacy, the loss of references and meaning, and the refusal of old age and death. Originality/value – The results show that transferors search for connections in the aim of identifying common points of anchor, affinities on to which they can project themselves as an element of continuity or an extension of their personality. The paper can in particular note the importance given to cultural proximity and to previous professional relations with the transferor. These criteria, unlike personal factors, are of the interpersonal type and thus deeply imprinted on the transferors most intimate desires and motivations, including the main desire, which is to search for all that can make possible an extension of himself within his company and thus ensure the permanence of his values and his time at the organisation.

STARTUPS’ INNOVATION BEHAVIOUR: AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE ROLE OF ENTREPRENEURIAL MOTIVATIONS

Although it is argued that competitiveness and successful performance in the long term is facilitated if ventures engage in innovations in diverse domains (e.g., product, process, production, administration, etc.), the development of diversified innovation has been rarely analysed. As the entrepreneurs’ initial motivations to startup are likely to influence their subsequent entrepreneurial behaviour, this study aims to explore whether and how entrepreneurial motivations affect diversified innovation behaviour in startups. Using data on over 48,000 French startups, we present novel insights into the consequences of entrepreneurial motivation for innovation behaviour. In fact, we find that distinct startup motivations can have different effects on the development of diverse innovations. As such, our findings contribute to extant research on innovation development of startups and advance the present understanding of the determinants of startups’ innovative behaviour.

New product and service launching in new ventures: a multilevel approach to innovation antecedents

ABSTRACT Macro-economic policies such as public financing seek to push the development and introduction of innovations; however, entrepreneurs also need support in their ‘day-to-day’ activities to improve their capability to launch innovations. As this micro-level perspective is rarely studied, we analyze both the micro and macro levels by examining the effects of the entrepreneurs’ individual intention to innovate and public financing. Additionally, we include the meso level, representing entrepreneurs’ network. Entrepreneurs are embedded in social spheres in which they capture resources and identify opportunities. But not all entrepreneurs are equally well supported, and some tend to be completely isolated. We thus focus on multilevel factors explaining new product or service launching in new ventures. Drawing on data of 48,251 French new ventures, we reveal that innovation intention and public financing positively impact new ventures’ product and service innovation launching, while entrepreneurs’ isolation has a negative effect. We also highlight two interaction effects that enhance the multilevel effects of innovation antecedents.

An investigation into organisational democracy in new ventures

Organisational democracy resembles around structural and procedural aspects regarding decision-making, leadership, organisational structure and communication. Primarily, it is thought as an approach in which individual and organisational goals are balanced. Individuals primarily engage in entrepreneurial activity because of autonomy and flexibility; i.e., working in less mechanistic structures. Founders thereafter can create their organisational structure according to their individual values, goals and personality. Particularly in dynamic and more instable business environments organisational democracy appears to be a source of competitive advantage and positive performance. Our research question therefore asks: do entrepreneurs of new ventures follow principles of organisational democracy? Results from a comparative case-study among seven German high-tech start-ups reveal three distinct forms of ventures on the mechanistic-democratic continuum regarding leadership, decision-making, organisational structure and communication. This means that entrepreneurs do not necessarily impede democratic principles in their ventures but rather chose their strategic route in accordance with their self-perception as an entrepreneur, their growth aspirations and product/service offered.

Mergers between size‐unequal partners: strategic risks and hurdles

Purpose – This article aims to explore how and why the creation of technological innovation during a merger can end in failure. The objective is to propose new analytical elements to improve the formulation and execution of the integration process between an SME (small and medium enterprise) and a large enterprise.Design/methodology/approach – The authors develop a theoretical framework based on the main research results from several fields, including technology transfer, innovation dissemination, and management. This case study then focuses on a merger in the IT sector in real time.Findings – This study allowed the authors to test theoretical elements, especially the choice of the integration method, which may favour the creation of technological innovation during the integration period. The authors present new reasons for the failure of co‐created innovation between an SME and a large enterprise in the IT sector. This case study allowed them to test theoretical elements such as the choice of an integrat...

Brand communities for market trend discovery: a study to advance entrepreneurial marketing research

Information management has an important role for small and resource constrained firms. However the role of consumer insights in entrepreneurial marketing has remained under researched, specifically on how to gather, collect and access relevant information in the digitised consumer universe. This netnographic study fills this gap and proposes brand communities as a feasible source of valuable entrepreneurial marketing related insights, which can help small and resource constrained entrepreneurial firms to exploit opportunities and lower perceived market risks.