The more the better? Optimal degree of supply-chain cooperation between competitors
研究两个竞争性原始设备制造商在各自生产不同组件时的外包策略，发现更多合作可能反而有害，特定条件下应选择不同的外包对象。
AbstractWe consider the outsourcing strategy problem of two competing original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) whose products are each made up of two components. The OEMs have different specializations, and therefore the component that each firm can produce in-house is different. Each firm must decide whether to outsource the other component to the competing OEM or to a third-party supplier. Prior research has demonstrated that competitors can be better off cooperating as supply-chain partners; therefore, one might expect that, as long as the OEMs are not at a severe cost disadvantage, they should maximize their cooperation as supply-chain partners, especially when competition between products is strong. Interestingly, this study finds that more cooperation between competitors may actually be harmful. Under certain conditions, while one of the OEMs should outsource to the competing firm, the other should outsource to a third-party supplier, even when the third-party supplier is more expensive and the competition is intense.Keywords: coopetitiongame theoryoutsourcing strategyprice competition