The sharing and utilization of knowledge in creating innovative approaches and methods for service delivery and product development have always been among the main challenges and fundamental goals in the healthcare sector [1]. One organizational strategy that can help achieve this goal is coopetition. Coopetition refers to collaboration between two competing organizations to achieve mutual benefits [2], which can take two forms: coopetition between organizations offering similar services and products, such as the collaboration between two pharmaceutical companies, or coopetition between companies within the healthcare supply chain, such as the collaboration between diagnostic laboratories and medical device manufacturers to develop a medical device. According to partnership theory, cooperation between competing organizations enhances the quantity and quality of their innovative activities and facilitates the improved performance of these companies [3]. Today, the coopetition strategy in healthcare has led to improvements in the quality of healthcare services, acceleration in the development of new treatment methods [4], reduction of costs and risks associated with research and development [5], increased efficiency and effectiveness of treatment processes, and enhancement of clinical effectiveness [6] through the sharing of big data between rival companies, identifying best practices and treatment procedures [4], creating knowledge synergy by sharing and combining knowledge, experiences, capabilities, and various expertise [7], sharing resources, technologies, and infrastructures [8], as well as improving brand value. An example of coopetition in the field of research related to new cancer treatments is the collaboration between Bristol-Myers Squibb and Merck. Their cooperation led to significant advancements in cancer treatment and the introduction of new products in this area. Another example is the coopetition between IBM Watson Health and Medtronic in the health systems domain, where the two systems collaborated on applying artificial intelligence to analyze medical data. This collaboration resulted in the development of advanced tools for medical data analysis and treatment outcome prediction. Another example of coopetition in the development of new technologies in the healthcare sector is the collaboration between Philips and Siemens Healthineers to develop and improve medical imaging technologies and hospital equipment. Their cooperation contributed to innovations in imaging technologies and the development of new products with greater diagnostic accuracy. The collaboration between the Iranian pharmaceutical company CinnaGen and the Australian company Vaxine for the production of the COVID-19 vaccine, as well as the collaboration between Royan Research Institute and the Iranian Diabetes Research Center, are examples of coopetition in the Iranian healthcare sector. For additional examples of the application of coopetition in the healthcare sector for the purpose of innovation development, one can refer to the creation of joint research networks (such as the collaboration between a Patient-Based Research Network (PBRN) and an Academic Health Science Centre (AHRTC)), knowledge sharing in clinical research (such as the collaboration between Pfizer and BioNTech for the development of the COVID-19 vaccine) [9, 10], the development of new medical technologies (such as the collaboration between Medtronic and GE Healthcare), innovation in digital therapeutics and telemedicine (such as the collaboration between technology and pharmaceutical companies for the production of an obesity treatment app) [11, 12], the development of therapeutic methods, services, and the establishment of common standards (such as the development of international standards in the field of medical equipment and pharmaceuticals) [13].In general, the coopetition strategy, as an innovative approach in healthcare, can lead to improved knowledge sharing and, by providing opportunities for the development and management of innovation and the creation of innovative products, facilitate market access and increase market share through collaboration with competitors. The use of this strategy allows companies and organizations active in healthcare to benefit from competitors' experiences and knowledge and use it in developing new technologies and treatment methods, reducing costs and mitigating risks, as well as accelerating research and development processes. This ultimately leads to improved quality and the facilitation and acceleration of service delivery in healthcare, especially in critical times, such as pandemics. Strengthening trust and transparency among competitors, setting common goals, creating legal and formal structures for managing collaborations (such as the use of public-private partnership models), developing necessary infrastructures like modern technologies to facilitate collaboration, promoting a collaboration-based organizational culture, creating financial and non-financial incentives, enhancing organizational capabilities to manage potential conflicts, and establishing multilateral collaboration networks are essential requirements for the adoption and development of the coopetition strategy in the healthcare system. Achieving these objectives can assist healthcare organizations in fully realizing the benefits of coopetition.Given the necessity of coopetition in creating new products and services in healthcare and establishing joint research networks between companies and sectors within the healthcare supply chain, future research could focus on the type and extent of data sharing, financial and human resources, types of coopetition (simple dual, simple multiple, complex dual, and complex multiple), and types of innovation (product, process, market, technology, service, and marketing innovation). However, coopetition in healthcare for knowledge sharing and improving innovative actions may face challenges such as lack of trust, conflicts of interest, cultural and structural conflicts, financial and legal risks, internal competition, and operational complexities. Future research could address these challenges by focusing on solutions to facilitate the coopetition-based innovation process in healthcare.
Type of Study:
Letter to Editor |
Subject:
Health Services Management Received: 2023/11/2 | Accepted: 2023/12/19 | Published: 2024/10/13