The DOI matches its Crossref record; 57 of the 58 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
How firms navigate cooperation and competition in nascent ecosystems
Open accessAbstract
Research Summary: Despite a wealth of research on competitive and cooperative strategy, gaps remain with respect to how firms successfully navigate cooperation and competition over time. This is especially true in ecosystems, in which firms depend on one another to collectively provide components and create value for consumers. Through an in‐depth multiple case study of five firms in the U.S. residential solar industry from 2007 to 2014, we induct a theoretical framework that explains how firms navigate nascent ecosystems over time. We identify three strategies, each with a distinct balance of cooperation and competition, as well as unique advantages, disadvantages, and required capabilities. Overall, we contribute to research on ecosystem strategy, crystallize the pivotal role of bottlenecks, and shed light on the dynamic interplay of cooperation and competition. Managerial Summary: Competition and cooperation are fundamental to strategy, and often closely intertwined. But how firms navigate and balance cooperation and competition over time, especially in ecosystems where firms depend on one another to deliver value to consumers, is unclear. In this article, we conduct an in‐depth multiple‐case study of five firms in the U.S. residential solar industry to examine how firms can successfully navigate nascent ecosystems over time. We identify three distinct strategies, each with a distinct balance of cooperation and competition, and examine the unique advantages, disadvantages, and required capabilities of each. In doing so, we also contribute novel insights into the evolution of ecosystems and bottlenecks.
Overview
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Verification
Claims the paper makes
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
In the citing paper
“Particularly for emerging or fast-changing DPEs, the information base may be vague or non-existent (Hannah & Eisenhardt, 2018).”
From Digital platform ecosystems in flux: From proprietary digital platforms to wide-spanning ecosystems (2023) · cites this paper as Hannah & Eisenhardt, 2018
Citations
Cites
Building Theories from Case Study Research
Eisenhardt, K. M. (1989) · The Academy of Management Review · doi:10.2307/258557 · Cited by 17,455
Self-citationTheory Building From Cases: Opportunities And Challenges
Eisenhardt, K. M., & Graebner, M. E. (2007) · Academy of Management Journal · doi:10.5465/amj.2007.24160888 · Cited by 16,670
Self-citationSocial Structure and Competition in Interfirm Networks: The Paradox of Embeddedness
Uzzi, B. (1997) · Administrative Science Quarterly · doi:10.2307/2393808 · Cited by 9,853
Structural Holes and Good Ideas
Burt, R. S. (2004) · American Journal of Sociology · doi:10.1086/421787 · Cited by 5,642
Towards a theory of ecosystems
Jacobides, M. G., Cennamo, C., & Gawer, A. (2018) · Strategic Management Journal · doi:10.1002/smj.2904 · Cited by 3,724
Adner, R., & Kapoor, R. (2009) · Strategic Management Journal · doi:10.1002/smj.821 · Cited by 2,831
Ecosystem as Structure: An Actionable Construct for Strategy
Adner, R. (2017) · Journal of Management · doi:10.1177/0149206316678451 · Cited by 2,600
The evolution of cooperation in strategic alliances: Initial conditions or learning processes?
Doz, Y. (2007) · Strategic Management Journal · doi:10.1002/smj.4250171006 · Cited by 2,256
Eisenhardt, K. M., & Schoonhoven, C. B. (1990) · Administrative Science Quarterly · doi:10.2307/2393315 · Cited by 2,227
Self-citationRetrospective reports of strategic‐level managers: Guidelines for increasing their accuracy
Huber, G. P., & Power, D. (1985) · Strategic Management Journal · doi:10.1002/smj.4250060206 · Cited by 1,718
Research works printed but not linked: 1
- Hannah D., 2017, Built to serve: A multilevel perspective on the creation and reconfiguration of ecosystems
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Items 601–700 of 703
Commitment and Learning in Ventures' Pursuit of Product-Market Fit in Digital HealthPreprint
Hannah, D. P., & Lim, S.-Y. (2024) · SSRN Electronic Journal · doi:10.2139/ssrn.5026837
Self-citationSingh, A. K., Chauhan, R., & Dhingra, T. (2024) · International Studies of Management and Organization · doi:10.1080/00208825.2024.2421658
The Dual Path: Ecosystem Orchestration and Participation
Kreutzer, M., Hettich, E., & Neudert, P. K. (2024) · Studies on entrepreneurship, structural change and industrial dynamics · doi:10.1007/978-3-031-70555-7_5
Coopetition in business relationships: Validation and improvement of the coopetitive paradox model
Díaz-Cueva, J. G., Sánchez-Rodríguez, A., Valarezo, M. M. I., & Fernández-Ochoa, Y. (2024) · Environment and Social Psychology · doi:10.59429/esp.v9i10.2986
Human Factors in the Creation and Growth of Entrepreneurship Ecosystems
Vargas-Hernández, J. G., González-Ávila, F. J., & Vargas-González, O. C. (2024) · Advances in business strategy and competitive advantage book series · doi:10.4018/979-8-3693-9486-1.ch007
Funk, P., Ferrone, D., Combemale, C., Giampapa, J. A., Vickers, A., & Skocik, M. (2024) · SSRN Electronic Journal · doi:10.2139/ssrn.5004724
Human Factors in the Creation and Growth of Entrepreneurship Ecosystems
Vargas-Hernández, J. G., González, F. J. G., Vargas-González, O. C., Castañeda-Burciaga, S., & Guirette-Barbosa, O. A. (2025) · IGI Global eBooks · doi:10.4018/979-8-3693-8171-7.ch003
Research trends and hotspot topics of Coopetition Strategy: A Scientometric AnalysisPreprint
Haddar, M. A., Argoubi, M., & Lakhal, L. (2025) · Research Square · doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-6069789/v1
Lakshmanan, R., Ritala, P., Aaltonen, P. H. M., & Nylund, P. A. (2025) · SSRN Electronic Journal · doi:10.2139/ssrn.5160055
Platform Bypass and Societal Change: Informal Collaboration in the Danish News EcosystemPreprint
Johansen, E. B., & Baumann, O. (2025) · SSRN Electronic Journal · doi:10.2139/ssrn.5160253
Entrepreneurship as a Causal and Mediating Role in Entrepreneurial Ecosystems
Vargas-Hernández, J. G., González-Ávila, F. J., Vargas-González, O. C., & Rodríguez-Maillard, C. A. (2025) · IGI Global eBooks · doi:10.4018/979-8-3693-8694-1.ch013
The Startup-Zoo: A Typology of Startups Based on the Ambitions of Their Founders
Kollmann, T., & Pröpper, A. (2025) · International Journal of Business and Economics Research · doi:10.11648/j.ijber.20251402.11
Marketing Management; Pricing Strategy
Rezki, R. (2023) · Journal Development Manecos · doi:10.71435/604078
RD&I Portfolio for the Sustainable Decommissioning of Offshore O&G Structures in Brazil
Sena, F. A., Freitas, L. R., & Silva, L. R. (2025) · Offshore Technology Conference · doi:10.4043/35685-ms
Port co-opetition: revisited after 20 years
Song, D., & Deshmukh, A. A. (2025) · Maritime Policy & Management · doi:10.1080/03088839.2025.2507851
Gigirey, F., Martos, L. A. P., & Heredia–Carroza, J. (2025) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-1-4614-7883-6_832-1
Lu, Z., Liu, J., & Bu, Z. (2025) · Construction Management and Economics · doi:10.1080/01446193.2025.2522275
Pathomorphological Diagnosis Process Intelligence
Pankowska, M. B., Żytniewski, M., Kozak, M., Tomaszek, K., & Spińczyk, D. (2025) · Lecture notes in business information processing · doi:10.1007/978-3-031-93580-0_8
Exploring Experiences in Event Management Under Uncertainty: The Four “Knowns” Framework
Yamakita, R., & Parent, M. M. (2025) · Event Management · doi:10.3727/152599525x17525390697562 · Cited by 1
Recipes for Success: Knowledge Access–Appropriation Configurations for Innovation PerformancePreprint
Meng, Q., Wu, X., McCarthy, K. J., Zhang, R., & Sun, J. (2025) · SSRN Electronic Journal · doi:10.2139/ssrn.5520873
Gronchi, I. (2025) · SSRN Electronic Journal · doi:10.2139/ssrn.5528286
Dynamic Adaptation as Persistence of Disequilibrium State
Manral, L. (2025) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-032-00228-0_11
Dynamic Adaptation as Continuing Co-creation
Manral, L. (2025) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-032-00228-0_15
Dillinger, L. (2025) · SDG - Forschung, Konzepte, Lösungsansätze zur Nachhaltigkeit · doi:10.1007/978-3-658-47934-3_15
Neudert, P. K., & Markus, K. (2022) · Emerald Group Publishing Limited eBooks · doi:10.1108/978-1-64802-962-220251007
Der doppelte Weg: Orchestrierung und Teilnahme am Ökosystem
Kreutzer, M., Hettich, E., & Neudert, P. K. (2025) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-032-07709-7_5
dos Santos, M. G., Gomes, L. A. D. V., & Borini, F. M. (2025) · SSRN Electronic Journal · doi:10.2139/ssrn.5913133
FIRM STRATEGY INSIGHTS FROM BUSINESS ECOSYSTEM FORMATION DYNAMICS
Gupta, R., & Gupta, R. (2020) · Institutional Repositories DataBase (IRDB)
Yu, P., li, Z., & Wang, C. (2025) · SSRN Electronic Journal · doi:10.2139/ssrn.5709652
Wang, H., & Xie, X. (2025) · The Journal of Technology Transfer · doi:10.1007/s10961-025-10290-y
Gestaltung, Aufbau und Wachstum erfolgreicher Ökosysteme
Kreutzer, M., Hettich, E., & Neudert, P. K. (2025) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-032-07709-7_4
A Function-Based Ontology of Business EcosystemsPreprint
Thorén, K. (2026) · SSRN Electronic Journal · doi:10.2139/ssrn.6114170
Centrality and Value Chain Power: Challenges to Traditional Theory and the ExplanationsPreprint
Wang, J., & Wei, J. (2026) · SSRN Electronic Journal · doi:10.2139/ssrn.6126654
Gigirey, F., Palma-Martos, L. A., & Heredia–Carroza, J. (2025) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-031-76422-6_832
A Model for Eco Control Based On Institutional Entrepreneurial Approach
Rahmanseresht, H., Amini, Z., Ebrahimi, M., & Shahram, K. N. (2025) · Quarterly Journal of Research and Planning in Higher Education · doi:10.61838/kman.irphe.31.2.5
Who enables whom? Technology versus legitimacy
Palomino-Calderon, J., Blanco‐González, A., Diéz‐Martín, F., & Cruz-Suárez, A. (2026) · Journal of Engineering and Technology Management · doi:10.1016/j.jengtecman.2026.101950
Will It Be a Unicorn or a Zebra? What the Characteristics of Founders Reveal About Their Ambitions
Kollmann, T., & Pröpper, A. (2026) · International Journal of Business Administration · doi:10.5430/ijba.v17n1p1
Gomes-Lopes, P., Mahmoud‐Jouini, S. B., & Massé, D. (2026) · SSRN Electronic Journal · doi:10.2139/ssrn.6396596
Luo, J., Shafiei, M. W. M., & Ismail, R. (2026) · Journal of Civil Engineering and Management · doi:10.3846/jcem.2026.26158
Kiani, A., & Massis, A. D. (2026) · SSRN Electronic Journal · doi:10.2139/ssrn.6430856
Technological interdependence management capability (TIMC) in innovation ecosystems
Farago, F. E., Borini, F. M., Gomes, L. A. D. V., Facin, A. L. F., & Silva, L. E. N. (2026) · International Journal of Innovation Science · doi:10.1108/ijis-04-2025-0169
Building local infrastructures of care: social enterprises and the recomposition of social value
Nascimento, L., Lima, L., Filho, J. C. L. D. S., & Lessa, B. D. S. (2026) · Social enterprise journal · doi:10.1108/sej-10-2025-0239
Profiting from ecosystems? Examining the effects of incumbents’ dynamic capabilitiesPreprint
Seehofer, T. M., Lechner, C. F., & Kreutzer, M. (2026) · SSRN Electronic Journal · doi:10.2139/ssrn.6467491
How carmakers manage innovation in the electric vehicle ecosystem?
Chen, Y. (2018) · theses.fr (ABES) · doi:10.70675/0b06a06dz26c7z42ccza384z659f0b00efa3
Hamani, A. (2021) · theses.fr (ABES) · doi:10.70675/8c27a71az3f3fz4010z96b7zb82ab4506e70
Ozor, J. O. (2022) · theses.fr (ABES) · doi:10.70675/b763d29azfaf5z4129zaf3ezcd4cb1c0edda
Lastras, F. S. A. (2023) · theses.fr (ABES) · doi:10.70675/dcd8de9czac97z427bz8674z40a96b3a4cd2
Nasiri, M. N., Markus, A., & van Zundert, J. (2026) · SSRN Electronic Journal · doi:10.2139/ssrn.6561585
Dynamic capabilities in business ecosystem emergence: a marketing technology case study
Råve, A., Solem, B. A. A., & Kurtmollaiev, S. (2026) · Management Decision · doi:10.1108/md-07-2025-2110
Kosidin (2025) · Manexia Journal of Business Management and Creative Economy · doi:10.66203/manexia.01303
It takes a village: How can a startup thrive in a metaverse dominated by tech giants?
Malek, S. L., & Schweitzer, F. M. (2026) · The CASE Journal · doi:10.1108/tcj-02-2025-0037
Kollmann, T., & Pröpper, A. (2026) · Journal of Strategic Innovation and Sustainability · doi:10.33423/cvk87v19
Business Model Innovations in Deep Tech: A Study of Repurposing Dynamic Capabilities for ResiliencePreprint
Erzurumlu, S. S. (2026) · SSRN Electronic Journal · doi:10.2139/ssrn.6667586
The Image Makers: Demand-Led Standardization for Ecosystem Alignment and InnovationPreprint
Lim, N., Ranganathan, R., & Agarwal, R. (2026) · SSRN Electronic Journal · doi:10.2139/ssrn.6592538
Mukasa, S., & Sangwa, S. (2026) · American Journal of Engineering and Technology Management · doi:10.11648/j.ajetm.20261102.12
Transformacja biznesu w erze sztucznej inteligencji: wiedza, innowacje, przyszłość
Pawełoszek, I., & Stępniak, C. (2026) · doi:10.17512/cut/9788365976499
Frenkler, W., Küffner, C., Münch, C., & Hartmann, E. (2026) · Transportation Research Part E Logistics and Transportation Review · doi:10.1016/j.tre.2026.104884
Lone genius or lonely fool? Exploring the viability of solo‐founding in entrepreneurship
Howell, T., & Hall, T. A. (2026) · Strategic Management Journal · doi:10.1002/smj.70103
Héral, M., Messeghem, K., & Catanzaro, A. (2026) · Business Strategy and the Environment · doi:10.1002/bse.71054
Strategic Management as Wayfinding: The Doing of Strategy Work
Sminia, H., & Corvalán, J. (2026) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-981-95-3588-0_5 · Cited by 1
Meyer, T., Yilmaz, E. D., & Cennamo, C. (2026) · SSRN Electronic Journal · doi:10.2139/ssrn.6916261
Scholz, T. M. (2026) · Strategic Change · doi:10.1002/jsc.70096
Srai, D. K. (2026) · The International Journal on Media Management · doi:10.1080/14241277.2026.2693626
Mao, R., & Wang, X. (2026) · Systems · doi:10.3390/systems14070805
Not So Protected After All—Managing Paradoxical Tensions in Mission‐Oriented Innovation Ecosystems
Keskin, D., Cobben, D., & Mahdad, M. (2026) · Creativity and Innovation Management · doi:10.1111/caim.70078
Steinhauser, S., & Stiller, L. (2026) · Journal of Strategy & Innovation · doi:10.1016/j.jsinno.2026.200590
Ren, X., 胡珑瑛, & Zhang, A. (2026) · Industrial Management & Data Systems · doi:10.1108/imds-06-2025-0765
Designing and Implementing HR Ecosystems
Morris, S. S., Snell, S. A., Neerings, C., & Call, C. (2026) · Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Business and Management · doi:10.1093/9780197851388.003.0582
Coopetition-driven success: boosting financial performance through dynamic capabilities
Herzallah, A. M., Hamed, M., Álvarez, E., Iriqat, R. A. M., & Bargouthi, M. (2026) · Future Business Journal · doi:10.1186/s43093-026-00936-0
Characteristics of biointelligent value creation systems
Shoshi, A., Sonnenberg, M., Bauernhansl, T., & Miehe, R. (2026) · Cleaner and Circular Bioeconomy · doi:10.1016/j.clcb.2026.100227
Wang, C., Yu, P., & Guo, Y. (2026) · Engineering Management Journal · doi:10.1080/10429247.2026.2701662
Adomako, S., & Nguyen, N. P. (2026) · Technology in Society · doi:10.1016/j.techsoc.2026.103501
Efficiency of Digital Interactions in a Manufacturing Organization: Transactional Tomography
Попов, Е. В., Simonova, V. L., & Pekin, M. A. (2026) · Strategic decisions and risk management · doi:10.17747/2618-947x-2026-2-133-144
Li, X., & Liu, P. (2026) · Sustainability · doi:10.3390/su18168453
Dominant logic and digital transformation of rail transit firms: A case study
Liu, B., Jin, Y., Zhang, J., Wang, D., & Chen, C. (2026) · Strategic Business Research · doi:10.1016/j.sbr.2026.100267
Ching, K. H. S. (2026) · Research Square · doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-10337449/v1
Hsu, S., & Prescott, J. (2026) · Journal of Management History · doi:10.1108/jmh-12-2025-0196
Rethinking the Evolution of Established Platform Ecosystems: A Framework of Strategic TrajectoriesPreprint
Panahi, A., & Ghazinoori, S. (2026) · SSRN Electronic Journal · doi:10.2139/ssrn.7387368
Sun, J., & Shu, Q. (2026) · SSRN Electronic Journal · doi:10.2139/ssrn.7429384
Kumar, R., Sharma, N., Deshmukh, A., Pillai, M., & Nair, A. (2021) · Journal of Digital Business and Management Studies · doi:10.68159/v505576871
ATTENTION COHERENCE IN BUSINESS ECOSYSTEMS: A COMMUNICATION-BASED THEORY OF COORDINATIONPreprint
Ayache, U., Saebi, T., & Foss, N. J. (2026) · SSRN Electronic Journal · doi:10.2139/ssrn.7446805
Unpacking the Purpose Ecosystem. The Compass Framework
Nicotra, M., & Romano, M. (2026) · Contributions to management science · doi:10.1007/978-3-032-38382-2_1
Rural Innovation Ecosystems and Agricultural Transition
Brunori, G., Giudice, T. D., Rosa, M. D., & Mignani, C. (2026) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-032-33157-1
Mobilizing ecosystem support for architectural innovation: Broker-mediated expectation formation
Hsu, S. (., Cohen, S. K., & Jing, Y. (2026) · Research Policy · doi:10.1016/j.respol.2026.105633
Burr, W. (2026) · Economics of Innovation and New Technology · doi:10.1080/10438599.2026.2731011
Keski̇n, H., Akgün, A. E., & Esen, E. (2026) · Journal of Enterprise Information Management · doi:10.1108/jeim-04-2026-0575
Lin, C. (2026) · Journal of Business Analytics · doi:10.1080/2573234x.2026.2737625
Business Model Framework for the Phygital Hub
Mallamaci, V., Nicotra, M., & Romano, M. (2026) · Contributions to management science · doi:10.1007/978-3-032-38357-0_4
The workplace of the future: Eliminating business travels using digital tools
von Rosing, M., Foldager, U., Shepperson, L., Czichos, H., Spiegel, H., Arnold, H., Urquhart, B., Muhita, D. H., Laurier, W., Thanner, A., et al. (2026) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-443-33756-7.00024-4
Stakeholder attributes in maritime logistics ecosystem: a policy perspective for small island states
D’agostini, E., & Attard, M. (2026) · Transport Policy · doi:10.1016/j.tranpol.2026.104459
SAMOILOVA, I. A. (2026) · Regional Economics Theory and Practice · doi:10.24891/whecwy
Keeping the integrator role: How automakers redistribute uncertainty in the software-defined vehiclePreprint
Du, J., & Shi, Y. (2026) · SSRN Electronic Journal · doi:10.2139/ssrn.7597595
Metadata
- Authors
- Hannah, D. P., & Eisenhardt, K. M.
- Affiliations
- The University of Texas at Austin (US)
- Stanford University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Hannah, Douglas P.
- Venue
- Strategic Management Journal
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2018-01-29
- Volume
- 39
- Issue
- 12
- Pages
- 3163-3192
- ISSN
- 0143-2095 (ISSN-L)
- 1097-0266
- OpenAlex
- W3123309072
- Cited by
- 692
- References
- 58
- Citations by year
- 2026: 87 · 2025: 88 · 2024: 95 · 2023: 102 · 2022: 102 · 2021: 108 · 2020: 62 · 2019: 30 · 2018: 9
- FWCI
- 58.72
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- doi.org
- Locations
- Strategic Management Journal (publishedVersion)
- SSRN Electronic Journal (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Strategy and Management › Digital Platforms and Economics
- Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Strategy and Management › Business Strategy and Innovation
- Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Strategy and Management › Innovation and Knowledge Management
- Keywords
- competition and cooperation, ecosystem strategy, bottlenecks, inter-firm relationships, component suppliers, ecosystem evolution, competitive strategy, cooperative strategy, organizational capabilities
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review