Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Katrena Uelese-Chapter 4 Response

October 23, 2007

Chapter 4 Response

Why are companies using the strategy called, ‘Coopetition’?


Organizations are always working with their environment; this involves working with or against their competition. Coopetition is a combination of co-operation and competition that tries to gain the benefits from both worlds. This idea helps companies utilize cross-functioning collaboration within social networks and other organizations. This theory reminds me of the idea, keep your friends close but your enemies closer. At first, companies were weary of sharing information to the competitors, but it didn’t take long to see that their individual competitiveness enhanced by a level of cooperation. We see companies joining together with their competition to enhance themselves and make more money.

A quote I found meaningful is, “ Organizational goals are defined in various ways in theories of organization and communication…Goals can differ across system levels.” Goals at different levels within the organization can be working toward different things. This is where communication is especially important. The book states an example of where two different units are working toward different goals, and for one to reach their goal it might off set the other unit. Profitable goals often intertwine with other unit’s goals, however, with communication and outlines of goals is important within the open system.

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