The Dynamic Capabilities View of Coopetition: The Case of Intel, Apple and Microsoft

Abstract

Over the last years, there has been a significant increase in the use of coopetition as a strategic device. We propose a dynamic capabilities view of coopetition to examine the evolution and impact of a relationship between firms that start as partners and become competitors. We show that a firm's propensity to coopete derives from its dynamic capabilities originating through the creation, integration and reconfiguration of the alliance competencies formed through its cooperative activity. We build on the analysis of the cooperation of Intel and Microsoft, known as Wintel, and the recent alliance between Intel and Apple, that we call Mactel. The use of a single case study obeys to the explanatory nature of research questions we attempt to answer.