COOPETITION AS AN ATTRIBUTE OF CLUSTERS FOSTERING INNOVATIVENESS OF ENTERPRISES – THE CASE OF ONE CREATIVE CLUSTER

Year 2013, Volume: 5 Issue: 1, 69 - 80, 01.06.2013

Barbara Jankowska

Abstract

In the literature one can come across numerous definitions of clusters. Despite
slight differences there is the compliance among experts that coopetition is a
crucial attribute of clusters. Cooperation and competition which constitute
coopetition have been traditionally perceived as opposites. But nowadays this
kind of business relationships is becoming more and more popular and recognized
as a solution fostering innovativeness of companies.
The purpose of this paper is a brief presentation of the concept of clusters,
creativity and coopetition as a key characteristic of clusters and its exemplification
by announcing the results of the research carried out by the author in relation to
coopetition in Leszno Printing and Advertising Cluster. The experiences of this
creative cluster show that it is possible to combine such different ways of
behaviour of enterprises as co-operation and competition which is sometimes
referred to as the symbiosis of water and fire and to exploit it in fostering
innovativeness of companies.

Keywords

coopetition, cluster, innovativeness

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