My Best Enemies? Coopetition in the Territorialization Process of Industries. The Case of Rural Microbreweries[Mes meilleures ennemies ? Coopétition et processus de territorialisation des filières. Le cas des microbrasseries gersoises]

The structuring of territorialized agri-food sectors represents a lever for adaptation to environmental change. Often driven by micro-enterprises, the question of structuring mechanisms arises within a constant tension between competition and cooperation in accessing resources. The challenge is thus to analyze how the interplay between individual initiatives and collective dynamics can contribute to the structuring of a territorialized agri-food sector composed of micro-enterprises. Studying the development of these sectors, as well as the simultaneously collaborative and competitive strategies that shape them, makes it possible to better understand their role in strengthening territorial resilience and to inform the design of public policies aimed at enhancing rural autonomy in a context of transition. In the case of the Gers (France), a microbrewery sector has been developing over the past decade. Through this case study and semi-structured interviews conducted with brewers, the article shows how the opportunities offered by healthy coopetition among SMEs could contribute to the viability of territorially embedded entrepreneurial initiatives.