IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/bcp/journl/v9y2025issue-14p2180-2192.html

Resilience through Coopetition: Evidence from Small Tech Firms in Malaysia

Author

Listed:
  • Mohd Khairulnizam Bin Sahlan

    (Technology Management Department, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Durian Tunggal, Melaka, Malaysia)

  • Lee Xin Yi

    (Technology Management Department, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Durian Tunggal, Melaka, Malaysia)

  • Albert Feisal @ Muhd Feisal Bin Ismail

    (Technology Management Department, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Durian Tunggal, Melaka, Malaysia)

  • Noor Aslinda Binti Abu Seman

    (Technology Management Department, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Durian Tunggal, Melaka, Malaysia)

  • Afif Zuhri Muhamad Khodri Harahap

    (Technology Management Department, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Durian Tunggal, Melaka, Malaysia)

Abstract

This study investigates the potential of coopetition strategies in assisting small technical firms to overcome challenges such as limited resources, innovation barriers, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Through qualitative interviews with owners and managers of five small technical firms in Penang, Malaysia, the research explores how coopetition—simultaneous collaboration and competition among firms—can enhance resilience and performance. Findings reveal that coopetition helps firms mitigate risks, share resources, and access new markets, though some firms prefer personalized strategies post-pandemic. The study contributes to the literature on coopetition by highlighting its benefits and limitations in small technical firms, offering practical insights for sustainable growth in volatile environments.

Suggested Citation

  • Mohd Khairulnizam Bin Sahlan & Lee Xin Yi & Albert Feisal @ Muhd Feisal Bin Ismail & Noor Aslinda Binti Abu Seman & Afif Zuhri Muhamad Khodri Harahap, 2025. "Resilience through Coopetition: Evidence from Small Tech Firms in Malaysia," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 9(14), pages 2180-2192, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:bcp:journl:v:9:y:2025:issue-14:p:2180-2192
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.rsisinternational.org/journals/ijriss/Digital-Library/volume-9-issue-14/2180-2192.pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://rsisinternational.org/journals/ijriss/articles/resilience-through-coopetition-evidence-from-small-tech-firms-in-malaysia/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Adedeji Saidi Adelekan & James Olanipekun Ojo & Powel Maxwell Worimegbe, 2021. "Coopetition and Small Firms Value Creation," European Journal of Business Science and Technology, Mendel University in Brno, Faculty of Business and Economics, vol. 7(2), pages 133-151.
    2. Hock-Doepgen, Marianne & Clauss, Thomas & Kraus, Sascha & Cheng, Cheng-Feng, 2021. "Knowledge management capabilities and organizational risk-taking for business model innovation in SMEs," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 130(C), pages 683-697.
    3. Wenke, Kathrin & Zapkau, Florian B. & Schwens, Christian, 2021. "Too small to do it all? A meta-analysis on the relative relationships of exploration, exploitation, and ambidexterity with SME performance," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 132(C), pages 653-665.
    4. Corbo, Leonardo & Kraus, Sascha & Vlačić, Božidar & Dabić, Marina & Caputo, Andrea & Pellegrini, Massimiliano M., 2023. "Coopetition and innovation: A review and research agenda," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 122(C).
    5. Alberto Bertello & Alberto Ferraris & Paola Bernardi & Bernardo Bertoldi, 2022. "Challenges to open innovation in traditional SMEs: an analysis of pre-competitive projects in university-industry-government collaboration," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 18(1), pages 89-104, March.
    6. David J. Teece, 2007. "Explicating dynamic capabilities: the nature and microfoundations of (sustainable) enterprise performance," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(13), pages 1319-1350, December.
    7. Jill Juergensen & José Guimón & Rajneesh Narula, 2020. "European SMEs amidst the COVID-19 crisis: assessing impact and policy responses," Economia e Politica Industriale: Journal of Industrial and Business Economics, Springer;Associazione Amici di Economia e Politica Industriale, vol. 47(3), pages 499-510, September.
    8. Singh, Sanjay Kumar & Gupta, Shivam & Busso, Donatella & Kamboj, Shampy, 2021. "Top management knowledge value, knowledge sharing practices, open innovation and organizational performance," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 128(C), pages 788-798.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Wang, Xinxin & Qin, Yong & Xu, Zeshui & Škare, Marinko, 2022. "A look at the focus shift in innovation literature due to Covid-19 pandemic," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 145(C), pages 1-20.
    2. Chen, Jiangtao & Cai, Wenyu & Luo, Jiamei & Mao, Hongyi, 2025. "How does digital trust boost open innovation? Evidence from a mixed approach," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 212(C).
    3. Nick Drydakis, 2022. "Artificial Intelligence and Reduced SMEs’ Business Risks. A Dynamic Capabilities Analysis During the COVID-19 Pandemic," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 24(4), pages 1223-1247, August.
    4. Shuting Chen & Dengke Yu, 2024. "What Drives Business Model Innovation? Exploring the Role of Knowledge Management Capability in Chinese Top-Ranking Innovative Enterprises," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 15(2), pages 6390-6424, June.
    5. AlNuaimi, Bader K. & Singh, Sanjay Kumar & Harney, Brian, 2021. "Unpacking the role of innovation capability: Exploring the impact of leadership style on green procurement via a natural resource-based perspective," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 134(C), pages 78-88.
    6. Alberto Bertello & Paola Bernardi & Francesca Ricciardi, 2024. "Open innovation: status quo and quo vadis - an analysis of a research field," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 18(2), pages 633-683, February.
    7. Nooshabadi, Javad E. & Mockaitis, Audra I. & Chugh, Richa, 2025. "Dark triad personality traits and born global internationalization," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 31(6).
    8. Pham Quang Huy & Vu Kien Phuc, 2025. "Insight into how Environmental Management Accounting Practices and Complexity of Green Innovation Management Pave the Way Toward Strategic Resilience," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 16(4), pages 14146-14179, October.
    9. Iftikhar, Anas & Purvis, Laura & Giannoccaro, Ilaria, 2021. "A meta-analytical review of antecedents and outcomes of firm resilience," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 135(C), pages 408-425.
    10. Nadia Zahoor & Francis Donbesuur & Arinze Christian Nwoba & Huda Khan, 2023. "Regional expansion of emerging market SMEs: the roles of domestic market environmental uncertainty and international alliance partner diversity," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 40(2), pages 613-643, June.
    11. Zahoor, Nadia & Adomako, Samuel, 2023. "Be open to failure: Open innovation failure in dynamic environments," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 193(C).
    12. Marino-Romero, Jorge Alberto & Palos-Sánchez, Pedro R. & Velicia-Martín, Félix, 2024. "Evolution of digital transformation in SMEs management through a bibliometric analysis," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 199(C).
    13. Bui Quang Hung & Tran Anh Hoa & Tu Thanh Hoai & Nguyen Phong Nguyen, 2024. "Resilience and Performance Among Vietnamese Business Organizations in Turbulent Environments: How Do Digitalized Management Accounting Systems and Organizational Mindfulness Matter?," SAGE Open, , vol. 14(3), pages 21582440241, August.
    14. Ali Bux & Yongyue Zhu & Sharmila Devi, 2025. "Enhancing Organizational Agility Through Knowledge Sharing and Open Innovation: The Role of Transformational Leadership in Digital Transformation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(15), pages 1-20, July.
    15. Tiberius, Victor & Stiller, Laura & Dabić, Marina, 2021. "Sustainability beyond economic prosperity: Social microfoundations of dynamic capabilities in family businesses," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).
    16. Owusu-Yirenkyi, Diana & Akolgo, Portia M. & Naab, Gilbert Zana & Donbesuur, Francis & Danso, Albert, 2024. "Charity can still begin at home: Examining the drivers and boundary conditions of Africa-to-Africa outward foreign direct investment (OFDI)," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 30(1).
    17. Du, Shuili & Bstieler, Ludwig & Yalcinkaya, Goksel, 2022. "Sustainability-focused innovation in the business-to-business context: Antecedents and managerial implications," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 138(C), pages 117-129.
    18. Samuel Adomako & Nguyen Phong Nguyen, 2023. "Green creativity, responsible innovation, and product innovation performance: A study of entrepreneurial firms in an emerging economy," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 32(7), pages 4413-4425, November.
    19. Yassin Allammari & Jaride Chama & Ahmed Taqi & siraj el Aaroubi, 2024. "Bibliometric Analysis of Literature on SME Entrepreneurial Orientation Using VOSviewer Software [Analyse bibliométrique de la littérature sur l'orientation entrepreneuriale des PME à l'aide du logiciel VOSviewer]," Post-Print hal-04665136, HAL.
    20. Qian Li & Hui Gao, 2023. "How External Knowledge Acquisition Contribute to Innovation Performance: A Chain Mediation Model," SAGE Open, , vol. 13(4), pages 21582440231, December.

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:bcp:journl:v:9:y:2025:issue-14:p:2180-2192. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Dr. Pawan Verma (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://rsisinternational.org/journals/ijriss/ .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.