Co-opetition
A reference book on applying game theory to strategy.
Author(s): Adam M. Brandenburger, Barry J. Nalebuff
Publisher: Doubleday
Date of publication: 1996
Manageris opinion
Co-opetition is a strategy book that continues to be topical, even if written back in 1996. Strongly inspired by game theory, the authors encourage readers to consider the market as the sum of fragile balances resulting from the decisions of each player. Business leaders would do well to apprehend these balances to better anticipate the moves of other market players, and more importantly, to understand how their own decisions can influence the choices of other players. Rather than simply enduring the existing industry structure, they can then try to change the game to their advantage, for example, by bringing in new competitors to shift the balance of power between incumbent leaders, or by introducing new contractual practices. This book deserves to be re-read, even though the examples are naturally a bit dated.
See also
Devise successful coopetition strategies
“Coopetition”—that is, forming an alliance with a direct competitor—is a strategy that can be very effective, but whose mechanisms are not very intuitive. How can you put together all the assets to succeed at this type of alliance?