Managing Paradoxical Tension of Coopetition Within Communities of Practice in Innovation Context
The purpose of this study is to investigate how an inter-organizational community of practice (IOCoP) manages the paradoxical effect between collaboration and competition. The literature highlights the potential of their logic for the development of collaborative innovation but do not explore the competition dynamic within theirs members. The analysis of an IOCoP composed by innovative startups in Brazil shows the reinforcement of internal regulations when new competing members integrate the community. Indirect and external modes of regulation are also expressed. Due to the complementarity of these regulatory modes, the IOCoP is seen as a facilitator for coopetition relationships.