Harnessing technology to drive coopetition and value co-creation: A service-dominant perspective

da Sil a, Agos inho An unes; Ca doso, An onio J. Ma ques
A icle
Ha nessing echnology o d i e coope i ion and alue co-
c ea ion: A se ice-dominan pe spec i e
Adminis a i e Sciences
P o ided in Coope a ion wi h:
MDPI – Mul idisciplina y Digi al Publishing Ins i u e, Basel
Sugges ed Ci a ion: da Sil a, Agos inho An unes; Ca doso, An onio J. Ma ques (2025) : Ha nessing
echnology o d i e coope i ion and alue co-c ea ion: A se ice-dominan pe spec i e,
Adminis a i e Sciences, ISSN 2076-3387, MDPI, Basel, Vol. 15, Iss. 2, pp. 1-29,
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Ci a ion: da Sil a, A. A., & Ca doso,
A. J. M. (2025). Ha nessing
Technology o D i e Coope i ion and
Value Co-C ea ion: A
Se ice-Dominan Pe spec i e.
Adminis a i e Sciences,15(2), 64.
h ps://doi.o g/10.3390/
admsci15020064
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A icle
Ha nessing Technology o D i e Coope i ion and Value
Co-C ea ion: A Se ice-Dominan Pe spec i e
Agos inho An unes da Sil a 1,2,* and An onio J. Ma ques Ca doso 1
1CISE-Elec omecha onic Sys ems Resea ch Cen e, Uni e si y o Bei a In e io , 6200-001 Co ilhã, Po ugal;
[email p o ec ed]g
2CIGEST-Cen e o Resea ch in Managemen , Lisbon Business School, 1000-002 Lisboa, Po ugal
*Co espondence: a.sil a@zipo .com
Abs ac : Coope i ion, he s a egic blend o compe i ion and collabo a ion, has eme ged
as a c i ical s a egy o i ms na iga ing oday’s in e connec ed and esou ce-cons ained
global economy. While coope i ion ne wo ks o e subs an ial bene i s, such as os e -
ing inno a ion, ma ke expansion, and scalabili y, hey a e augh wi h challenges like
esou ce-sha ing isks, us de ici s, and he inhe en ension be ween collabo a ion and
compe i ion. Despi e hese hu dles, he ans o ma i e po en ial o echnology in enabling
and enhancing coope i ion ne wo ks emains unde explo ed. This s udy add esses his
gap by in eg a ing Se ice-Dominan Logic (S-D Logic) and ins i u ional wo k o p opose
a comp ehensi e amewo k o echnology-d i en coope i ion ne wo ks. I iden i ies
se en sys emic building blocks—coope i ion ac o s, esou ce in eg a ion, se ice exchange,
ins i u ions, nes ed ecosys ems, ope and echnologies, and ope an echnologies— ha
acili a e sus ainable alue co-c ea ion. These componen s enable i ms o na iga e dy-
namic ma ke condi ions by os e ing us , collabo a ion, and inno a ion. This esea ch
emphasizes echnology’s pi o al ole as a ans o ma i e enable and s a egic d i e , en-
abling eal- ime in e ac ion, seamless esou ce in eg a ion, and ins i u ional alignmen .
Ins i u ional wo k is highligh ed as essen ial o managing egula o y, no ma i e, and
cogni i e dimensions o ensu e he Adap abili y and longe i y o coope i ion ecosys ems.
By p o iding ac ionable insigh s in o he design and managemen o esilien , echnology-
d i en coope i ion ne wo ks, his s udy o e s a oadmap o sus ainable and equi able
alue dis ibu ion. I con ibu es o he e ol ing discou se on s a egic business ne wo ks,
empowe ing o ganiza ions o ha ness he powe o coope i ion in an inc easingly complex
global ma ke place.
Keywo ds: coope i ion ne wo ks; se ice-dominan logic; alue co-c ea ion; inno a ion;
ins i u ional wo k
1. In oduc ion
In oday’s globalized economy, i ms ope a e in an inc easingly complex landscape
cha ac e ized by esou ce asymme y, apid ma ke e olu ion, and in ensi ied compe i-
ion. As indus ies become mo e in e connec ed, businesses—mic o- and medium-sized
en e p ises (SMEs)—seek s a egies o enhance compe i i eness, expand ma ke each,
and scale ope a ions. One o he mos e ec i e s a egic esponses o hese challenges is
coope i ion, a pa adoxical in e play be ween collabo a ion and compe i ion ha allows
i ms o le e age sha ed esou ces while main aining hei compe i i e edge (Meena e al.,
2023;Rouy e e al.,2024). Howe e , while coope i ion p esen s signi ican ad an ages, i
also in oduces challenges such as esou ce-sha ing isks, oppo unis ic beha iou s, and
Adm. Sci. 2025,15, 64 h ps://doi.o g/10.3390/admsci15020064
Adm. Sci. 2025,15, 64 2 o 29
agile us s uc u es, which, i no p ope ly managed, can des abilize ne wo ks and
hinde long- e m alue c ea ion (C ick,2019;Ree es e al.,2022).
Despi e he g owing ecogni ion o coope i ion’s s a egic alue, esea ch emains ag-
men ed and inconclusi e ega ding how alue is c ea ed, dis ibu ed, and sus ained wi hin
hese ne wo ks (Klimas e al.,2023). Many exis ing heo e ical pe spec i es— anging om
Game Theo y and he Resou ce-Based View (RBV) o Pa adox Theo y, T ansac ion Cos The-
o y, and Ne wo k Theo y—o e aluable insigh s in o he mechanisms o coope i ion (Co bo
e al.,2023). Howe e , hese amewo ks o en ail o cap u e mode n coope i ion ecosys ems’
dynamic, mul i-ac o , and echnology-d i en na u e, lea ing c i ical gaps in unde s anding
how i ms e ec i ely co-c ea e alue while balancing compe i i e and collabo a i e o ces (Xie
e al.,2023). Add essing hese gaps equi es an in eg a i e concep ual app oach conside ing
he ins i u ional and echnological enable s shaping coope i ion ne wo ks.
Technology undamen ally ans o ms coope i ion dynamics by enabling eal- ime
in e ac ions, op imizing esou ce in eg a ion, and eshaping compe i i e landscapes (da
Sil a & Ca doso,2024). IoT pla o ms, AI-d i en coo dina ion, and da a analy ics a e
key enable s o alue co-c ea ion, ye he p ecise mechanisms h ough which echnology
sus ains and enhances coope i ion emain unde explo ed (R. Bouncken e al.,2024). This
s udy seeks o add ess his gap by de eloping a concep ual amewo k ha examines he
in e ac ion be ween echnology and ins i u ional wo k, p oposing a s uc u ed model o
sus ainable alue co-c ea ion in coope i ion ne wo ks.
To s uc u e his analysis, his s udy adop s Se ice-Dominan (S-D) Logic as i s
heo e ical ounda ion (Va go & Lusch,2004). Unlike adi ional Goods-Dominan Logic
(Joine & Lusch,2016), which iews alue c ea ion as a s a ic, ansac ional exchange, S-D
Logic econcep ualizes alue as a dynamic, co-c ea ed p ocess shaped h ough se ice
exchange, esou ce in eg a ion, and ins i u ional in e ac ions (Va go e al.,2024). This
pe spec i e is po en ially ele an o coope i ion ne wo ks as i (1) shi s he ocus o se ice-
based alue co-c ea ion (Va go & Lusch,2017), (2) emphasizes ecosys ems whe e ac o s
co-c ea e alue by in eg a ing bo h angible and in angible esou ces o gene a e mu ual
bene i s (Jaakkola & Va go,2021), and (3) aligns wi h echnology’s ole in shaping mode n
se ice in e ac ions, business ne wo ks, and digi al ans o ma ion s a egies (Va go e al.,
2024). Mo eo e , S-D Logic p o ides an ins i u ional lens, allowing o an in-dep h analysis
o how go e nance s uc u es, sha ed no ms, and ins i u ional wo k s abilize coope i ion
ela ionships (Va go e al.,2023a). By inco po a ing S-D Logic and echnological enable s,
his s udy o e s a holis ic amewo k o unde s anding he in e play be ween ac o s,
ins i u ions, and echnology in coope i ion ecosys ems.
This s udy de elops a concep ual amewo k o echnology-enabled coope i ion ne -
wo ks, ocusing on alue co-c ea ion by add essing h ee key esea ch ques ions: (1) How
can echnology acili a e coope i ion wi hin ne wo ks? (2) Wha ins i u ional and ech-
nological con igu a ions op imize alue co-c ea ion? (3) How can coope i ion ne wo ks
ensu e sus ainable and equi able alue dis ibu ion? This esea ch ad ances he heo e ical
unde s anding o coope i ion ne wo ks by answe ing hese ques ions while p o iding a
s uc u ed ounda ion o u u e empi ical alida ion.
This esea ch begins by explo ing he in e play be ween coope a ion and compe i ion,
examining how i ms na iga e his duali y o d i e inno a ion and s a egic posi ion-
ing. An analysis o alue co-c ea ion mechanisms ollows his, acing he shi om
cop oduc ion o co-c ea ion and posi ioning S-D Logic as a key pe spec i e o unde -
s anding coope i ion ecosys ems. Nex , his s udy examines how ins i u ional wo k and
echnological ad ancemen s shape he sus ainabili y and go e nance o coope i ion ne -
wo ks, iden i ying echnology’s ole in se ice ecosys ems and add essing gaps in exis ing
heo e ical app oaches. I hen de elops he sys emic and ins i u ional ounda ions o
Adm. Sci. 2025,15, 64 3 o 29
echnology-enabled coope i ion ne wo ks, in eg a ing insigh s om S-D Logic and digi al
ans o ma ion. Finally, i summa izes heo e ical con ibu ions, acknowledges limi a ions,
and ou lines u u e empi ical esea ch o alida e and e ine he p oposed amewo k.
This s udy p o ides a comp ehensi e ounda ion o unde s anding how i ms can
s a egically le e age coope i ion by in eg a ing S-D Logic’s ins i u ional pe spec i e wi h
echnology-enabled ne wo ks. The p oposed amewo k se es as a guiding model o
balancing compe i ion and collabo a ion, enabling i ms o ha ness echnology and ins i u-
ional s uc u es o d i e sus ainable and scalable alue co-c ea ion, ocusing on eal-wo ld
applica ions o SMEs.
2. Li e a u e Re iew
The concep o coope i ion has e ol ed signi ican ly since i s ea ly concep ualiza ion
by Ray Noo da, he ounde o No ell, in he 1980s. Ini ially ecognized as a p ac ical
business s a egy, coope i ion gained a heo e ical ounda ion h ough he wo k o Nalebu
and B andenbu ge (1997), who, d awing on Game Theo y, highligh ed i s ans o ma-
i e po en ial in eshaping compe i i e dynamics (Nalebu & B andenbu ge ,1997). By
balancing collabo a i e engagemen wi h compe i i e in en , coope i ion enables i ms o
os e inno a ion, sha e esou ces, and c ea e mu ual alue, e en among di ec compe i o s
(Manzhynski & Biedenbach,2023).
A i s co e, coope i ion le e ages syne gies ha allow i ms o pu sue sha ed objec i es
while main aining s a egic independence (Gnyawali & Song,2016). By blending compe i-
i e and coope a i e in e ac ions, i ms can mi iga e isks, op imize esou ces, and unlock
oppo uni ies ha would be una ainable in pu ely compe i i e o coope a i e ela ion-
ships (Bicen e al.,2021). This duali y has made coope i ion a c i ical d i e o compe i i e
ad an age and inno a ion, pa icula ly in echnology-d i en and apidly e ol ing business
ecosys ems (Chen e al.,2023).
O e ime, coope i ion esea ch has expanded ac oss a ious disciplines and indus-
ies, e lec ing i s ele ance in echnology, manu ac u ing, and SMEs (Meena e al.,2023).
Schola s ha e explo ed i s s a egic bene i s and inhe en challenges, pa icula ly in con-
ex s whe e i ms mus na iga e us dynamics, esou ce dependencies, and ins i u ional
cons ain s (Xie e al.,2023).
2.1. Theo e ical Founda ions o Coope i ion
Coope i ion’s unique abili y o balance collabo a ion and compe i ion makes i a
powe ul d i e o inno a ion and compe i i e esilience, pa icula ly in en i onmen s
cha ac e ized by esou ce asymme y, echnological dis up ion, and global in e connec i i y
(Rouy e e al.,2024). By engaging in coope a i e and compe i i e in e ac ions, i ms can
mi iga e ma ke unce ain ies, le e age sha ed esou ces, and os e s a egic g ow h (Ga ay-
Ronde o e al.,2020). Howe e , despi e i s acknowledged s a egic bene i s, he mechanisms
unde pinning alue c ea ion in coope i ion emain inconsis en ly concep ualized ac oss
esea ch (Ge nsheime e al.,2021).
These inconsis encies s em om con ex ual ac o s such as us , esou ce complemen-
a i ies, and ne wo k dynamics, which shape coope i ion ou comes in unp edic able ways
(Meena e al.,2023). While se e al heo e ical amewo ks ha e been applied o explain
coope i ion, hey o en o e agmen ed pe spec i es, emphasizing speci ic aspec s while
o e looking he b oade sys emic ounda ions ha enable sus ained alue c ea ion ac oss
ne wo ks (R. B. Bouncken e al.,2015).
Va ious heo e ical pe spec i es o e dis inc insigh s in o he bene i s and complexi-
ies o coope i ion. Game Theo y iews coope i ion as a s a egic in e ac ion, whe e i ms
balance coope a ion and compe i ion o op imize collec i e and indi idual gains. Howe e ,
Adm. Sci. 2025,15, 64 4 o 29
in o ma ion asymme y and us de ici s o en challenge i s eal-wo ld applicabili y, which
can hinde e ec i e decision-making (Xie e al.,2023).
The Resou ce-Based View ames coope i ion as a esou ce access and co-de elopmen
s a egy, emphasizing how i ms enhance inno a ion and ma ke each by le e aging
sha ed and p op ie a y esou ces (Ge nsheime e al.,2021). Simila ly, Pa adox Theo y
highligh s he dynamic ension be ween collabo a ion and compe i ion, iewing coope-
i ion as an ongoing p ocess o na iga ing con adic ions o c ea e s a egic syne gies
(Co bo e al.,2023).
F om an economic pe spec i e, T ansac ion Cos Theo y (TCT) ocuses on minimizing
ansac ion cos s and sa egua ding compe i i e in e es s h ough e ec i e go e nance
mechanisms, ensu ing ha i ms manage isk while main aining coope a i e ela ion-
ships (Spille ,2010;Xie e al.,2023). Las ly, Ne wo k Theo y unde sco es he signi icance
o s a egic posi ioning wi hin business ne wo ks, demons a ing how i ms access c i -
ical esou ces, manage in e dependencies, and enhance alue c ea ion h ough ne wo k
s uc u es (Bu ga & Rezania,2017).
While hese amewo ks p o ide aluable insigh s, hei scope and ocus a y. Game
Theo y op imizes s a egic in e ac ions, RBV and Ne wo k Theo y emphasize esou ce
and ne wo k dynamics, Pa adox Theo y add esses coope i ion’s inhe en ensions, and
TCT ocuses on ansac ional e iciency and compe i i e sa egua ding (Meena e al.,2023).
Howe e , a c ucial esea ch gap emains—exis ing amewo ks ail o ully cap u e he
sys emic mechanisms o alue co-c ea ion in echnology-d i en coope i ion ne wo ks.
As i ms inc easingly le e age eme ging echnologies, he e is a p essing need o
explo e how echnological inno a ions in e ac wi h ins i u ional s uc u es o shape coope-
i ion ou comes. Add essing his gap is essen ial o de eloping a sys emic unde s anding
o alue co-c ea ion, p o iding he concep ual ounda ions o sus ainable and scalable
coope i ion ne wo ks in echnology-d i en en i onmen s.
2.2. Value C ea ion Mechanisms in Coope i ion Ne wo ks (Resea ch Gap 1)
T adi ional amewo ks o en concep ualize alue c ea ion in coope i ion ne wo ks
as a linea and s a ic p ocess p ima ily g ounded in in e nal esou ces, ma ke posi ions,
o disc e e s a egic in e ac ions (R. Bouncken e al.,2024). These app oaches implici ly
assume ha alue is an inhe en cha ac e is ic o goods o se ices, lowing unidi ec-
ionally om p oduce o consume (Ami & Zo ,2001). Howe e , his goods-cen ic
pe spec i e ails o cap u e mode n coope i ion’s luid, in e connec ed, and e ol ing na-
u e, whe e he bounda ies be ween compe i ion and collabo a ion a e inc easingly blu ed
(Xie e al.,2023).
Exis ing alue c ea ion models s uggle o explain he dynamic and adap i e p ocesses
ha de ine coope i ion ne wo ks. Th ee key limi a ions s and ou : (1) T adi ional heo ies
ocus on i m-speci ic esou ces bu o e look he in e dependencies and complemen a i ies
ha d i e alue c ea ion in coope i ion se ings (Meena e al.,2023). In eali y, alue
eme ges h ough in eg a ing sha ed and dis inc esou ces con ibu ed by mul iple ac o s.
(2) S a ic models assume ixed oles and con ibu ions, ye coope i ion ne wo ks equi e
con inuous enego ia ion o posi ions, esou ces, and s a egies as ma ke condi ions e ol e
(Xie e al.,2023). This limi a ion is especially p oblema ic in indus ies d i en by apid
echnological change, and (3) con en ional amewo ks ea alue as a p ede e mined
esul a he han a dynamic, i e a i e p ocess o co-c ea ion, nego ia ion, and dis ibu ion
wi hin ne wo ks (R. Bouncken e al.,2024). This na ow iew obscu es alue c ea ion’s
eme gen and e ol ing na u e in complex coope i ion ecosys ems.
To add ess hese limi a ions, a ela ional and dynamic pe spec i e mus conside
he con inuous in e play be ween compe i ion and collabo a ion in coope i ion ne wo ks

Adm. Sci. 2025,15, 64 5 o 29
(Va go e al.,2024). This pe spec i e is buil on h ee co e p inciples: Value as co-c ea ed,
coope i ion ne wo ks as adap i e ecosys ems, and echnology as a acili a o o alue co-
c ea ion. This pe spec i e p o ides a mo e comp ehensi e unde s anding o coope i ion
ne wo ks by shi ing he ocus om alue as a s a ic ou come o alue as a dynamic and
co-c ea ed p ocess.
2.3. The Role o Technology in Coope i ion Ne wo ks (Resea ch Gap 2)
T adi ional heo e ical amewo ks o en ail o accoun o he complexi y and in-
e connec i i y ha de ine echnology-d i en coope i ion ne wo ks (Co bo e al.,2023).
Technology se es a dual ole in hese ne wo ks: (1) As an ope an esou ce, echnology is a
dynamic agen ha d i es inno a ion, coo dina ion, and alue co-c ea ion (Kaa emo e al.,
2017). (2) An ope and esou ce is an enable , p o iding in as uc u e, ools, and digi al
pla o ms ha acili a e in e ac ions (G ee e al.,2016).
This duali y unde sco es echnology’s mul i ace ed ole in shaping coope i ion dynam-
ics, in luencing how i ms compe e, collabo a e, and in eg a e esou ces wi hin e ol ing
business ecosys ems.
Con en ional coope i ion heo ies o en emphasize s a ic and linea in e ac ion models,
o e looking how echnology os e s eal- ime, adap i e exchanges (Klimas e al.,2023).
These models ail o add ess he ollowing ac o s: (1) he ne wo ked and dynamic na u e
o digi al in e ac ions, whe e echnology enables i ms o adjus hei s a egies and collab-
o a ions cons an ly; (2) he ole o echnology in sus aining long- e m coope i ion, ensu ing
us , anspa ency, and e iciency h ough da a-d i en decision-making and au oma ion;
and (3) echnology’s unc ion in c ea ing in e connec ed alue ecosys ems, whe e mul iple
ac o s co-c ea e, dis ibu e, and e ol e alue (Meena e al.,2023).
By emb acing his echnology-in eg a ed pe spec i e, esea ch can p o ide a mo e
accu a e and comp ehensi e unde s anding o how i ms build, sus ain, and op imize
coope i ion ne wo ks in he digi al economy.
2.4. Re aming Coope i ion Th ough Se ice-Dominan Logic: A Shi Towa d Value Co-C ea ion
S-D Logic undamen ally ede ines goods as acili a o s o se ice deli e y, shi ing
he ocus om owne ship and p oduc ion o specialized compe encies ha c ea e se ice
expe iences (Va go & Lusch,2010). This pe spec i e places se ice exchange and alue
co-c ea ion a he hea o economic ac i i y, challenging s a ic, ansac ional iews o alue
c ea ion (G ee e al.,2016).
Wi hin his amewo k, alue is no in insic o p oduc s bu eme ges ela ionally,
co-c ea ed h ough in e ac ions among mul iple ac o s in a sha ed sys em o esou ce
in eg a ion and se ice exchange (M. A. Akaka & Va go,2014). This shi unde sco es he
impo ance o unde s anding how i ms, cus ome s, and o he s akeholde s dynamically
collabo a e o c ea e alue wi hin coope i ion ne wo ks (Va go e al.,2020).
The ansi ion om cop oduc ion o co-c ea ion, and ul ima ely o alue co-c ea ion in
se ice ecosys ems, highligh s coope i ion ne wo ks’ adap i e and sys emic na u e (Lusch &
Va go,2014). This amewo k is de ined by wo key cha ac e is ics: (1) Value as an i e a i e
and dynamic p ocess— alue is con inuously de i ed, assessed, and ede ined h ough eal-
ime in e ac ions among ne wo k ac o s, e lec ing he luid na u e o ma ke s (Be encou
e al.,2014). (2) Ecosys ems as complex adap i e sys ems—coope i ion ne wo ks unc ion
as complex adap i e sys ems, whe e economic and social s uc u es e ol e dynamically,
shaped by he collec i e ac ions o pa icipa ing ac o s (Elo e al.,2024). By emb acing S-D
Logic, i ms engaged in coope i ion can be e unde s and how alue eme ges h ough
collabo a ion and compe i ion, using hese dynamics o d i e inno a ion, Adap abili y, and
long- e m sus ainabili y.
Adm. Sci. 2025,15, 64 6 o 29
3. Me hodology
This s udy employs an in eg a i e concep ual app oach (Va go & Koskela-Huo a i,
2020) o cons uc a heo e ical amewo k o unde s anding alue co-c ea ion wi hin
echnology-enabled coope i ion ne wo ks (TECNs). Concep ual esea ch is a key ool
o ad ancing heo e ical de elopmen by syn hesizing and in eg a ing exis ing knowl-
edge a he han elying on empi ical da a (Jaakkola,2020). Gi en he complex and
dynamic na u e o coope i ion, his me hodology enables sys ema ic explo a ion o un-
de lying alue co-c ea ion mechanisms ha empi ical s udies may no ye ully cap u e
(Clemens e al.,2025).
3.1. A Concep ual App oach
Empi ical esea ch is aluable o hypo hesis es ing bu o en equi es a well-
es ablished heo e ical ounda ion. Since he mechanisms o echnology-d i en coope i ion
emain unde explo ed, a concep ual app oach se es as a necessa y i s s ep in de eloping
a s uc u ed amewo k ha u u e empi ical esea ch can alida e (Jaakkola,2020).
This s udy begins wi h a ocal phenomenon ha is obse able bu no adequa ely
add essed in exis ing esea ch: In oday’s globalized economy, i ms ope a e in an inc eas-
ingly complex landscape cha ac e ized by esou ce asymme y, apid ma ke e olu ion,
and in ensi ied compe i ion. A c i ical aspec o his landscape is he ole o echnology in
acili a ing and sus aining coope i ion while ensu ing sus ainable alue co-c ea ion. While
p e ious s udies ha e examined coope i ion h ough Game Theo y, he Resou ce-Based
View, and T ansac ion Cos Theo y (Meena e al.,2023), hey o en neglec he alue o
co-c ea ion mechanisms and he digi al na u e o mode n coope i ion ecosys ems (Co bo
e al.,2023). The apid ans o ma ion o business ecosys ems h ough echnology and
globaliza ion necessi a es a new heo e ical lens in eg a ing ins i u ional and se ice-based
pe spec i es o unde s and coope i ion dynamics be e (Xie e al.,2023).
To add ess his gap, his s udy syn hesizes insigh s om S-D Logic, which shi s he
ocus om goods-based compe i ion o se ice-based alue co-c ea ion. This pe spec i e
aligns wi h mode n coope i ion’s in e ac i e and echnology-media ed na u e (Va go e al.,
2024;Va go & Lusch,2004). S-D Logic p o ides a concep ual ounda ion o unde s and-
ing how i ms in eg a e esou ces and co-c ea e alue in dynamic and digi ally enabled
ne wo ks (Clemens e al.,2025).
Viewing coope i ion h ough his heo e ical lens, his s udy de elops a no el concep-
ual model ha (1) cla i ies how echnology acili a es coope i ion, (2) iden i ies ins i u ional
and echnological con igu a ions ha op imize alue co-c ea ion, and (3) explo es sus ain-
able and equi able alue dis ibu ion in coope i ion ne wo ks.
Th ough his in eg a i e concep ual app oach, his esea ch ad ances heo e ical
unde s anding while p o iding p ac ical insigh s o i ms na iga ing coope i ion in digi al
ecosys ems. I lays he g oundwo k o u u e empi ical alida ion, ensu ing he p oposed
model can be es ed and e ined h ough eal-wo ld applica ions.
3.2. Resea ch App oach
This s udy ollows a sys ema ic concep ual app oach, p og essing h ough ou key
phases o de elop a heo e ical amewo k o de eloping u u e TECNs. I begins by
iden i ying c i ical gaps in he exis ing li e a u e, pa icula ly he limi ed unde s anding o
alue co-c ea ion mechanisms wi hin coope i ion ne wo ks and he unde explo ed ole o
echnology in sus aining hese in e ac ions. Add essing hese gaps, his esea ch in eg a es
S-D Logic and digi al ans o ma ion esea ch pe spec i es, syn hesizing hese heo e ical
ounda ions o cons uc a se ice-cen ic iew o coope i ion. This in eg a ion in o ms he
nex phase, whe e his s udy de elops a s uc u ed amewo k ou lining he key cons uc s
Adm. Sci. 2025,15, 64 7 o 29
and building blocks necessa y o designing and op imizing TECNs. While he amewo k
p o ides a s ong heo e ical ounda ion, i also se es as a basis o u u e empi ical
alida ion h ough case s udies, su eys, o ne wo k analyses, ensu ing i s applicabili y in
eal-wo ld se ings.
3.3. Theo e ical Choices and T anspa ency
A s uc u ed and sys ema ic li e a u e e iew was conduc ed o iden i y and in eg a e
he mos ele an amewo ks o unde s anding alue co-c ea ion wi hin echnology-
enabled coope i ion ne wo ks (TECNs) o es ablish a solid heo e ical ounda ion o his
s udy. Gi en he complex, mul i-ac o na u e o coope i ion and he inc easing ole o digi al
ans o ma ion in shaping business in e ac ions, i was c ucial o adop a comp ehensi e
and in e disciplina y app oach o selec ing he app op ia e heo ies.
This p ocess un olded in h ee key phases: iden i ying ele an heo ies, ensu ing
comp ehensi e co e age, and applying selec ion c i e ia o e ine he heo e ical model.
The goal was o cons uc a amewo k ha cap u es coope i ion’s s a egic, ins i u ional,
and echnological dimensions, ensu ing ha i aligns wi h he dynamic and digi ally d i en
business landscape.
3.3.1. Iden i ying Rele an Theo ies
To cons uc a obus heo e ical ounda ion, his s udy conduc ed an ex ensi e li e a-
u e e iew spanning mul iple disciplines, including s a egic managemen , o ganiza ional
heo y, ins i u ional economics, and digi al ans o ma ion esea ch. The objec i e was
o iden i y ounda ional heo ies ha ha e his o ically shaped coope i ion esea ch and
con empo a y pe spec i es ha e lec he e ol ing na u e o digi al ecosys ems. By in e-
g a ing insigh s om hese di e se ields, his s udy aimed o de elop a comp ehensi e
amewo k ha cap u es he complexi ies o alue co-c ea ion in TECNs.
The e iew e ealed se e al es ablished heo ies, each o e ing dis inc insigh s in o
coope i ion’s s a egic, ins i u ional, and echnological dimensions. Among hese, Game
Theo y p o ided a ounda ion o unde s anding coope i ion as a s a egic in e ac ion,
whe e i ms ca e ully balance collabo a ion and compe i ion o maximize hei indi idual
and collec i e bene i s. Meanwhile, he Resou ce-Based View emphasized esou ce access
and co-de elopmen , highligh ing how i ms le e age sha ed and p op ie a y asse s o
achie e compe i i e ad an age and os e inno a ion.
F om a go e nance pe spec i e, T ansac ion Cos Theo y add esses he mechanisms
i ms use o minimize isks and manage coope a ion cos s, ensu ing ha compe i i e
ensions do no unde mine collabo a ion. Simila ly, Ne wo k Theo y explo ed in e i m
ela ionships and s a egic posi ioning, explaining how i ms na iga e dependencies, pa -
ne ships, and access o c i ical esou ces wi hin coope i ion ecosys ems.
This s udy also examined Pa adox Theo y, which p o ided a lens o unde s anding
he inhe en con adic ions o coope i ion, whe e i ms mus simul aneously compe e
and collabo a e while managing con lic ing s a egic objec i es. In con as , S-D Logic
in oduced a dynamic and in e ac i e iew o alue c ea ion, shi ing he ocus om
s a ic ansac ions o co-c ea ed alue, whe e i ms in eg a e esou ces, echnology, and
ins i u ional s uc u es o gene a e sus ainable bene i s.
Addi ionally, Ins i u ional Theo y played a key ole in explaining he go e nance
s uc u es, us mechanisms, and egula o y amewo ks ha s abilize coope i ion ne -
wo ks (Elo e al.,2024). I emphasized he in luence o o mal ules, indus y no ms, and
sha ed expec a ions in shaping long- e m collabo a i e s a egies. Finally, Technology
Resea ch p o ided c ucial insigh s in o he impac o digi al ans o ma ion on coope i ion
Adm. Sci. 2025,15, 64 8 o 29
dynamics, examining how AI, blockchain, da a analy ics, and cloud compu ing enable
i ms o enhance e iciency, anspa ency, and s a egic coo dina ion in digi al ecosys ems.
While hese heo ies con ibu e aluable pe spec i es, no single amewo k ully
cap u es he mul i-dimensional na u e o echnology-d i en coope i ion. Gi en he need o
a holis ic and in eg a ed app oach, his s udy p oceeded wi h a e ined selec ion p ocess o
iden i y he mos ele an heo e ical ounda ions. The inal amewo k needed o accoun
o ins i u ional s uc u es, s a egic go e nance, and echnological enable s, ensu ing a
comp ehensi e unde s anding o how alue is co-c ea ed in TECNs.
3.3.2. Ensu ing Comp ehensi e Co e age
To de elop a well- ounded heo e ical amewo k, his s udy unde ook a sys ema ic
and s uc u ed li e a u e e iew o ensu e ha he selec ion o heo e ical pe spec i es was
comp ehensi e and me hodologically sound. The p ocess began wi h an ex ensi e sea ch
ac oss leading academic da abases, including Web o Science, Scopus, and Google Schola ,
o iden i y key wo ks ha explo e coope i ion, alue co-c ea ion, digi al ans o ma ion,
and se ice ecosys ems. Gi en he in e disciplina y na u e o his s udy, i was essen ial o
include insigh s om s a egic managemen , o ganiza ional heo y, ins i u ional economics,
and digi al ans o ma ion esea ch o cap u e a holis ic iew o he mechanisms d i ing
alue co-c ea ion in TECNs.
To main ain academic igou , he sea ch was es ic ed o pee - e iewed jou nal
a icles, books, and high-impac con e ence p oceedings, ensu ing ha only es ablished
and high-quali y esea ch in o med he heo e ical ounda ion. Key sea ch e ms such
as “coope i ion heo y”, “ alue co-c ea ion in ne wo ks”, “digi al ans o ma ion and
compe i ion”, and “se ice ecosys ems” we e used o iden i y ele an li e a u e, ensu ing
ha his s udy cap u ed bo h well-es ablished heo ies and eme ging pe spec i es.
Beyond di ec keywo d sea ches, his s udy employed ci a ion acking and snow-
balling echniques o e ine he li e a u e selec ion u he . By acing highly ci ed and
in luen ial esea ch, his s udy was able o inco po a e bo h seminal wo ks ha shaped
coope i ion heo y and con empo a y s udies add essing he ole o echnology in mode n
business ecosys ems. This i e a i e app oach allowed o p og essi e e inemen o heo-
e ical pe spec i es, ensu ing ha he amewo ks included in his s udy we e his o ically
signi ican and highly ele an o con empo a y digi al coope i ion dynamics.
3.3.3. Selec ion C i e ia o Theo e ical F amewo ks
Following iden i ying a b oad ange o heo e ical pe spec i es, a sys ema ic selec ion
p ocess was unde aken o de e mine which amewo ks would se e as he p ima y
heo e ical ounda ion o his s udy. The goal was o ensu e ha he chosen heo ies
aligned wi h he co e hemes o echnology-d i en coope i ion and alue co-c ea ion
while add essing he ins i u ional and go e nance s uc u es ha sus ain collabo a i e
business ecosys ems. To achie e his, each heo e ical amewo k was assessed based on
i e key c i e ia.
The i s and mos essen ial c i e ion was ele ance o echnology-enabled coope i ion.
Gi en his s udy’s ocus on digi al ans o ma ion and i s impac on business in e ac ions,
p io i y was gi en o heo ies ha explici ly explo e how eme ging echnologies in luence
coope i ion ne wo ks. The selec ed amewo ks needed o accoun o he ole o digi al
pla o ms, AI, blockchain, and da a-d i en decision-making in shaping collabo a i e and
compe i i e dynamics.
The second c i e ion was he heo y’s ocus on alue co-c ea ion. Since his s udy
in es iga es how i ms collabo a i ely gene a e and dis ibu e alue, p e e ence was gi en
o amewo ks ha de ine alue as co-c ea ed a he han as a s a ic o ansac ional
Adm. Sci. 2025,15, 64 15 o 29
5.1. Add essing Value C ea ion Mechanisms in Coope i ion Ne wo ks
S-D Logic concep ualizes alue c ea ion as a dynamic and in e ac i e p ocess (Jaakkola
e al.,2024), eme ging h ough ecip ocal and i e a i e exchanges among ne wo k pa ic-
ipan s a he han being an in insic a ibu e o p oduc s o se ices (Va go & Lusch,
2004). This pe spec i e challenges adi ional alue pa adigms, asse ing ha alue
is co-c ea ed h ough mu ual engagemen among i ms, cus ome s, and s akeholde s
(Va go & Lusch,2011).
This pa adigm’s co e is ope an esou ces—in angible asse s such as knowledge, skills,
and in o ma ion (Lusch & Nambisan,2015)—which a e p ima y d i e s o inno a ion,
Adap abili y, and collabo a ion in coope i ion ne wo ks. These esou ces enable i ms o
gene a e unique o ms o alue ha canno be achie ed in isola ion, os e ing new ma ke
oppo uni ies and enhanced compe i i e posi ioning (M. Akaka e al.,2013). Mo eo e , S-D
Logic asse s ha compe i i e ad an age in in e connec ed ma ke s a ises om possessing
unique esou ces and he abili y o dynamically in eg a e and ecombine esou ces ac oss
o ganiza ional bounda ies (Va go,2011). This Adap abili y enables i ms o na iga e
complex compe i i e and coope a i e ela ionships, con inuously aligning wi h shi ing
s akeholde needs (Chandle e al.,2019).
This e ol ing iew o alue c ea ion emphasizes he need o coope i ion ne wo ks
o os e open dialogue, encou age sha ed lea ning, and suppo collabo a i e inno a ion
(Va go e al.,2024).
By adop ing his esou ce-in eg a ion pe spec i e, coope i ion ne wo ks can ede ine
alue c ea ion, ans o ming hei in e ac ions in o mechanisms o sus ained inno a ion,
s a egic lexibili y, and ma ke leade ship.
5.2. Add essing he Role o Technology in Coope i ion Ne wo ks
S-D Logic p o ides a ans o ma i e pe spec i e on how alue is c ea ed and sus ained
wi hin se ice ecosys ems, posi ioning hem as en i onmen s whe e alue eme ges h ough
he collec i e in e ac ions o all ac o s (Lusch & Va go,2014), coo dina ed by ins i u ional
and echnological mechanisms (Ba ile e al.,2016). This pe spec i e shi s away om
adi ional compe i i e models, e aming ma ke s no as ba leg ounds o compe i i e
ad an age bu as collabo a i e spaces whe e compe i ion and coope a ion coexis wi hin
an in ica e web o ela ionships (U ibe e al.,2020). Mo eo e , S-D Logic highligh s se ice
ecosys ems’ sys emic and eme gen na u e, whe e alue is no a ixed ou pu bu an ongoing
p ocess a ising om in e ac ions among ne wo k ac o s (Va go e al.,2023b). Wi hin hese
ecosys ems, echnology se es as bo h a acili a o and an ampli ie o co-c ea i e p ocesses
(Wieland e al.,2017).
F om an S-D Logic pe spec i e, coope i ion wi hin se ice ecosys ems in ol es na -
iga ing he complex in e play o compe i ion and collabo a ion o achie e (1) os e ing
inno a ion, (2) accessing new ma ke s, and (3) enhancing cus ome expe iences. As digi-
al ne wo ks inc easingly media e economic and social in e ac ions, echnology’s ole in
enabling, shaping, and scaling alue co-c ea ion becomes c i ical. Technology enhances
coope i ion ne wo ks by (1) enabling dynamic in e ac ions and suppo o eal- ime, e-
sou ce in eg a ion, and coo dina ion among ecosys em pa icipan s; (2) joining p oblem-
sol ing and inno a ion, p o iding sha ed in as uc u es, capabili ies, and da a-d i en
decision-making insigh s; and (3) scaling alue c ea ion since echnology allows coope i ion
ne wo ks o expand hei ope a ions and in e ac ions, ex ending he each o collabo a i e
ini ia i es and enabling en y in o new ma ke s.
S-D Logic iews echnology as bo h a ool and a d i e o ecosys em e olu ion, shap-
ing how coope i ion ne wo ks de elop, unc ion, and sus ain hemsel es. Technology
in luences (1) ins i u ional a angemen s by ede ining go e nance s uc u es and esou ce

Adm. Sci. 2025,15, 64 16 o 29
dis ibu ion models; (2) ac o beha iou s by enabling new o ms o collabo a ion, us -
building, and s a egic di e en ia ion; and (3) esou ce in eg a ion by acili a ing eal- ime
knowledge exchange and seamless in e ope abili y wi hin ne wo ks.
As echnology media es inc easing in e ac ions, i s impac on alue co-c ea ion and
po en ial alue co-des uc ion becomes mo e p onounced, equi ing i ms o manage hei
ole wi hin hei ecosys ems p oac i ely.
Viewing coope i ion h ough he lens o S-D Logic p o ides key insigh s o sus aining
long- e m ne wo k s abili y and alue c ea ion, including (1) ins i u ional adap abili y; (2)
balancing collabo a ion and compe i ion; (3) and ne wo k esilience.
Th ough his D-D Logic lens, coope i ion is no jus a i m-le el s a egy bu a oun-
da ional p inciple shaping he e olu ion o se ice ecosys ems. By unde s anding how
echnology os e s co-c ea i e p ocesses, i ms can mo e e ec i ely manage and sus ain
hei coope i ion ne wo ks, ensu ing long- e m alue c ea ion, Adap abili y, and ecosys-
em s abili y.
6. Building Sys emic and Ins i u ional Founda ions o Coope i ion
Technology-D i en Ne wo ks
Building on he heo e ical ounda ions o S-D Logic, ins i u ional wo k, and coope-
i ion, his sec ion di ec ly engages wi h he esea ch ques ions ha shape his s udy.
Examining hese ques ions h ough an S-D Logic pe spec i e es ablishes he ounda ion o
he concep ual amewo k.
6.1. How Can Technology Facili a e Coope i ion Wi hin Ne wo ks?
F om an S-D Logic pe spec i e, echnology and ins i u ional wo k in coope i ion
ne wo ks a e cen al in aligning di e se ac o s, including indi iduals and o ganiza ions,
o enable sus ainable and equi able alue co-c ea ion (Elo e al.,2024). This alignmen is
acili a ed by c ea ing, dis up ing, and main aining ins i u ional amewo ks (Beunen &
Pa e son,2019;Va go & Lusch,2016), es ablishing he ules, no ms, and sha ed unde -
s andings go e ning ecosys em in e ac ions.
Unde his iew, coope i ion ne wo ks ely on h ee key ins i u ional elemen s: (1) Reg-
ula i e Elemen s—laws, indus y egula ions, and con ac ual ag eemen s de ine accep able
beha iou s, ensu ing s uc u ed go e nance (F iend e al.,2020). A he meso-le el, join
ag eemen s and ope a ional ules help es ablish us and consis ency (M. Akaka e al.,
2013); (2) No ma i e Elemen s—sha ed alues, e hical codes, and cul u al no ms os e a
collabo a i e ye compe i i e en i onmen , ex ending beyond o mal ag eemen s o p o-
mo e anspa ency and coope a ion (Foschi,1972); and (3) Cogni i e Elemen s—sha ed
goals, na a i es, and s a egic amewo ks align ac o s by minimizing con lic and os e -
ing mu ual unde s anding (Ha mann e al.,2018). Mo eo e , echnology is a c i ical enable
ha ein o ces hese ins i u ional dimensions h ough enhanced communica ion, eal- ime
da a sha ing, and digi al coo dina ion ools (Va go e al.,2024). Technology as an Enable
o Ins i u ional Alignmen : Technology acili a es coope i ion ne wo ks by (1) enhancing
collabo a ion, (2) ensu ing Adap abili y, and imp o ing anspa ency and go e nance.
Howe e , e ec i e coope i ion ne wo ks equi e pe iodic dis up ion o ins i u ional
s uc u es o ealign hem wi h e ol ing ma ke dynamics and collec i e ecosys em goals
(Ed a dsson e al.,2014). This inc emen al and i e a i e p ocess allows lexibili y wi hou
des abilizing he ne wo k (Law ence & Suddaby,2006).
Figu e 1illus a es he in e ac ion be ween ins i u ional elemen s, echnology, and
ac o in e ac ions wi hin a coope i ion ne wo k. I highligh s how echnological enable s
in eg a e wi h egula i e, no ma i e, and cogni i e s uc u es o sus ain alue co-c ea ion
while balancing compe i ion and collabo a ion.
Adm. Sci. 2025,15, 64 17 o 29
Adm.Sci.2025,15,xFORPEERREVIEW17o 30
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
Figu e1.Keyelemen sand echnologiesasenable s o  alueco-c ea ionincoope i ionne wo ks.
Inconclusion,c ea ingandmain ainingeffec i ecoope i ionne wo ks equi eins i-
u ionals abili yand echnologicalAdap abili y.Byadd essing egula i e,no ma i e,
andcogni i edimensions,ac o scanco-c ea eabalancedand esilien ecosys emwhe e
compe i ionandcollabo a ioncoexis .Technologycomplemen s hisp ocessbyp o id-
ing henecessa ypla o ms,da a-d i eninsigh s,andcommunica ion ools ha enhance
collec i e aluec ea ionandecosys emsus ainabili y.
6.2.Wha Ins i u ionalandTechnologicalCon igu a ionsOp imizeValueCo‐C ea ionin
Coope i ionNe wo ks?
S-DLogicconcep ualizes aluec ea ionasadynamic,in e ac i ep ocess ha 
eme ges h ough ecip ocalexchangeswi hinse iceecosys ems(Jaakkolae al.,2024).
Unlike adi ionalgoods-cen icapp oaches,S-DLogichighligh sope an  esou ces—
knowledge,skills,andexpe ise—as hep ima yd i e so  alueco-c ea ion(Lusch&
Nambisan,2015).Coope i ionne wo ks,byin eg a ing esou cesandpoolingcompe en-
cies,unlocknewoppo uni ies o inno a ion,Adap abili y,andg ow h ha indi idual
i mswoulds uggle oachie ealone(Rouy ee al.,2024).Thedynamic ecombina ion
o  esou ces os e ssha edlea ningandcon inuousinno a ion(Chandle e al.,2019),
allowing i ms o espond oma ke demandsandmain aincompe i i ediffe en ia ion
simul aneously(Meenae al.,2023).
Wi hin hesene wo ks,S-DLogic e ames aluec ea ionasap ocessshapedby
ins i u ionals uc u esand echnologicalenable s(Va goe al.,2023a).Ins i u ionsp o-
ide he ules,no ms,andcogni i e amewo ks ha guidein e ac ions.A  hesame ime,
echnologyse esasbo ha acili a o andanini ia o o  alueco-c ea ion:(1)asanope -
an  esou ce, echnologyd i esinno a ionanddecision-making h ougha i icialin elli-
gence,da aanaly ics,andmachinelea ning,enhancingAdap abili y(M.A.Akaka&
Va go,2014);(2)asanope and esou ce,i p o ides hein as uc u e o seamlesscol-
labo a ion,includingcloudcompu ing,blockchain,andIoT,enabling i ms oefficien ly
coo dina e,communica e,andin eg a e esou ces(G ee e al.,2016).
By ul illing hese oles, he echnologyscales esou cein eg a ion,op imizesin e -
ac ions,andensu es ha coope i ionne wo ks emainagileand esponsi e oma ke 
shi s.
Tomaximize alueco-c ea ion,coope i ionne wo ksmus alignins i u ionaland
echnologicalelemen sin he ollowingways:(1)Regula i eS uc u es—clea legal
amewo ks,s anda diza ionpolicies,andcon ac ualag eemen s ha es ablish us and
mi iga e isksincoope i i e ela ionships;(2)No ma i eS uc u es—sha edindus y
s anda dsandbes p ac ices ha encou agecollabo a ionwhilep ese ingcompe i i e
incen i es;and(3)Cogni i eS uc u es—asha edunde s andingo  alueco-c ea ion
p inciples, os e ingacul u eo mu uallea ningandinno a ion.
Figu e 1. Key elemen s and echnologies as enable s o alue co-c ea ion in coope i ion ne wo ks.
In conclusion, c ea ing and main aining e ec i e coope i ion ne wo ks equi e ins i u-
ional s abili y and echnological Adap abili y. By add essing egula i e, no ma i e, and
cogni i e dimensions, ac o s can co-c ea e a balanced and esilien ecosys em whe e com-
pe i ion and collabo a ion coexis . Technology complemen s his p ocess by p o iding he
necessa y pla o ms, da a-d i en insigh s, and communica ion ools ha enhance collec i e
alue c ea ion and ecosys em sus ainabili y.
6.2. Wha Ins i u ional and Technological Con igu a ions Op imize Value Co-C ea ion in
Coope i ion Ne wo ks?
S-D Logic concep ualizes alue c ea ion as a dynamic, in e ac i e p ocess ha eme ges
h ough ecip ocal exchanges wi hin se ice ecosys ems (Jaakkola e al.,2024). Unlike
adi ional goods-cen ic app oaches, S-D Logic highligh s ope an esou ces—knowledge,
skills, and expe ise—as he p ima y d i e s o alue co-c ea ion (Lusch & Nambisan,
2015). Coope i ion ne wo ks, by in eg a ing esou ces and pooling compe encies, unlock
new oppo uni ies o inno a ion, Adap abili y, and g ow h ha indi idual i ms would
s uggle o achie e alone (Rouy e e al.,2024). The dynamic ecombina ion o esou ces
os e s sha ed lea ning and con inuous inno a ion (Chandle e al.,2019), allowing i ms
o espond o ma ke demands and main ain compe i i e di e en ia ion simul aneously
(Meena e al.,2023).
Wi hin hese ne wo ks, S-D Logic e ames alue c ea ion as a p ocess shaped by
ins i u ional s uc u es and echnological enable s (Va go e al.,2023a). Ins i u ions p o ide
he ules, no ms, and cogni i e amewo ks ha guide in e ac ions. A he same ime,
echnology se es as bo h a acili a o and an ini ia o o alue co-c ea ion: (1) as an ope an
esou ce, echnology d i es inno a ion and decision-making h ough a i icial in elligence,
da a analy ics, and machine lea ning, enhancing Adap abili y (M. A. Akaka & Va go,
2014); (2) as an ope and esou ce, i p o ides he in as uc u e o seamless collabo a ion,
including cloud compu ing, blockchain, and IoT, enabling i ms o e icien ly coo dina e,
communica e, and in eg a e esou ces (G ee e al.,2016).
By ul illing hese oles, he echnology scales esou ce in eg a ion, op imizes in e ac-
ions, and ensu es ha coope i ion ne wo ks emain agile and esponsi e o ma ke shi s.
To maximize alue co-c ea ion, coope i ion ne wo ks mus align ins i u ional and ech-
nological elemen s in he ollowing ways: (1) Regula i e S uc u es—clea legal amewo ks,
s anda diza ion policies, and con ac ual ag eemen s ha es ablish us and mi iga e isks
in coope i i e ela ionships; (2) No ma i e S uc u es—sha ed indus y s anda ds and
bes p ac ices ha encou age collabo a ion while p ese ing compe i i e incen i es; and
(3) Cogni i e S uc u es—a sha ed unde s anding o alue co-c ea ion p inciples, os e ing
a cul u e o mu ual lea ning and inno a ion.
Adm. Sci. 2025,15, 64 18 o 29
Figu e 2illus a es he key ins i u ional and echnological d i e s ha op imize alue
co-c ea ion in coope i ion ne wo ks. I highligh s (1) he in e play be ween ins i u ional
s uc u es and se ice ecosys ems, showing how egula i e, no ma i e, and cogni i e
amewo ks shape coope a i e in e ac ions among i ms; (2) he dual ole o echnology
as an ope an esou ce (d i ing inno a ion h ough AI, analy ics, and au oma ion) and an
ope and esou ce (p o iding digi al in as uc u e such as IoT, blockchain, and cloud pla -
o ms o enable collabo a ion); and (3) he con inuous eedback loop be ween ins i u ional
go e nance and echnological ad ancemen s, demons a ing how aligned con igu a ions
ein o ce Adap abili y, inno a ion, and sus ainable alue co-c ea ion.
Adm.Sci.2025,15,xFORPEERREVIEW18o 30
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
Figu e2illus a es hekeyins i u ionaland echnologicald i e s ha op imize alue
co-c ea ionincoope i ionne wo ks.I highligh s(1) hein e playbe weenins i u ional
s uc u esandse iceecosys ems,showinghow egula i e,no ma i e,andcogni i e
amewo ksshapecoope a i ein e ac ionsamong i ms;(2) hedual oleo  echnology
asanope an  esou ce(d i inginno a ion h oughAI,analy ics,andau oma ion)andan
ope and esou ce(p o idingdigi alin as uc u esuchasIoT,blockchain,andcloudpla -
o ms oenablecollabo a ion);and(3) hecon inuous eedbackloopbe weenins i u ional
go e nanceand echnologicalad ancemen s,demons a inghowalignedcon igu a ions
ein o ceAdap abili y,inno a ion,andsus ainable alueco-c ea ion.

Figu e2.Ins i u ionaland echnologicald i e so  alueco-c ea ionincoope i ionne wo ks.
Byeffec i elyin eg a ing heseins i u ionaland echnologicalcon igu a ions,
coope i ionne wo ksbalancecompe i ionandcollabo a ion, os e ingcon inuousinno-
a ion,ope a ionalefficiency,andlong- e mma ke  esilience.
6.3.Responding o heQues ion:HowCanCoope i ionNe wo ksBeDesigned oEnsu e
Sus ainableandEqui ableValueDis ibu ion?
Thesus ainabili yandequi able aluedis ibu ionwi hincoope i ionne wo ks
hingeon hei abili y oadap ande ol econ inuously.Asma ke demandsanden i on-
men alcondi ionsshi , heseecosys emsmus engageinp oac i ego e nance,ensu ing
s a egicalignmen amongdi e seac o s(Va goe al.,2023b).Ins i u ionalmain enance
becomesapi o almechanism o achie ing his,encompassing headap a iono  egula-
i e,no ma i e,andcogni i eelemen s op ese ealignmen andcohesionwi hin he
ne wo k.Ins i u ionalmain enancemechanismsplayacen al olein os e ing helon-
ge i yandequi yo coope i ionne wo ks.Thesemechanismsinclude he ollowing.
Regula i eElemen s:The ules,ag eemen s,ands anda ds ha go e n hene wo k
mus  emain lexibleand esponsi e ochangesinlaws,ma ke condi ions,andindus y
no ms.Regula adap a ionensu es ha ins i u ionals uc u es emain ele an andsup-
po i eo  hene wo k’sobjec i es(Ed a dssone al.,2014).Fo example, e isingcollab-
o a i eag eemen s o e lec new egula o ylandscapeso  echnologicalad ancemen s
cansus ain us andope a ionalha monyamongac o s.
No ma i eElemen s:Sha ed alues, us ,andcollabo a i eno msa eessen ial o 
sus ainingp oduc i e ela ionshipswi hincoope a ionne wo ks.Opendialogue, egula 
goal eassessmen ,andclea codeso conduc  os e alignmen andmu ualunde s and-
ing,mi iga ingcon lic sandp omo ingcohesion(Koskela-Huo a ie al.,2020).These
p ac icesensu e ha compe i i edynamicsmain ain hecollabo a i e ounda iono  he
ecosys em.
Figu e 2. Ins i u ional and echnological d i e s o alue co-c ea ion in coope i ion ne wo ks.
By e ec i ely in eg a ing hese ins i u ional and echnological con igu a ions, coope-
i ion ne wo ks balance compe i ion and collabo a ion, os e ing con inuous inno a ion,
ope a ional e iciency, and long- e m ma ke esilience.
6.3. Responding o he Ques ion: How Can Coope i ion Ne wo ks Be Designed o Ensu e
Sus ainable and Equi able Value Dis ibu ion?
The sus ainabili y and equi able alue dis ibu ion wi hin coope i ion ne wo ks hinge
on hei abili y o adap and e ol e con inuously. As ma ke demands and en i onmen al
condi ions shi , hese ecosys ems mus engage in p oac i e go e nance, ensu ing s a egic
alignmen among di e se ac o s (Va go e al.,2023b). Ins i u ional main enance becomes
a pi o al mechanism o achie ing his, encompassing he adap a ion o egula i e, no -
ma i e, and cogni i e elemen s o p ese e alignmen and cohesion wi hin he ne wo k.
Ins i u ional main enance mechanisms play a cen al ole in os e ing he longe i y and
equi y o coope i ion ne wo ks. These mechanisms include he ollowing.
Regula i e Elemen s: The ules, ag eemen s, and s anda ds ha go e n he ne wo k
mus emain lexible and esponsi e o changes in laws, ma ke condi ions, and indus-
y no ms. Regula adap a ion ensu es ha ins i u ional s uc u es emain ele an and
suppo i e o he ne wo k’s objec i es (Ed a dsson e al.,2014). Fo example, e ising col-
labo a i e ag eemen s o e lec new egula o y landscapes o echnological ad ancemen s
can sus ain us and ope a ional ha mony among ac o s.
No ma i e Elemen s: Sha ed alues, us , and collabo a i e no ms a e essen ial o
sus aining p oduc i e ela ionships wi hin coope a ion ne wo ks. Open dialogue, egula
goal eassessmen , and clea codes o conduc os e alignmen and mu ual unde s anding,
mi iga ing con lic s and p omo ing cohesion (Koskela-Huo a i e al.,2020). These p ac ices
ensu e ha compe i i e dynamics main ain he collabo a i e ounda ion o he ecosys em.
Cogni i e Elemen s: Regula communica ion and sha ed na a i es help ac o s align
hei pe spec i es and unde s and he ne wo k’s e ol ing objec i es. Na a i e-building,
Adm. Sci. 2025,15, 64 19 o 29
s a egic s o y elling, and sense-making p ac ices ensu e ha pa icipan s emain uni ed
in hei ision, e en as ex e nal condi ions change (Mus ak & Plé,2020). This cogni i e
alignmen minimizes misunde s andings and enhances s a egic coo dina ion.
Coope i ion ne wo ks a e inhe en ly dynamic, equi ing con inuous ins i u ional main-
enance and adap a ion. Technologies such as blockchain o anspa ency, da a analy ics
o moni o ing alue lows, and a i icial in elligence o p edic i e insigh s can augmen
ins i u ional mechanisms, ensu ing equi able esou ce alloca ion and enhancing pa icipan
us . Combined wi h ins i u ional wo k ha os e s alignmen ac oss egula i e, no ma i e,
and cogni i e dimensions, hese echnologies enable ne wo ks o balance collabo a ion
and compe i ion.
Figu e 3illus a es he key componen s and in e ac ions equi ed o ensu ing sus ain-
abili y and equi able alue dis ibu ion in coope i ion ne wo ks. I highligh s he dynamic
in e play o egula i e, no ma i e, and cogni i e ins i u ional main enance mechanisms,
suppo ed by echnology and s a egic alignmen , o os e Adap abili y, us , and sha ed
unde s anding wi hin a se ice ecosys em.
Adm.Sci.2025,15,xFORPEERREVIEW19o 30
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Cogni i eElemen s:Regula communica ionandsha edna a i eshelpac o salign
hei pe spec i esandunde s and hene wo k’se ol ingobjec i es.Na a i e-building,
s a egics o y elling,andsense-makingp ac icesensu e ha pa icipan s emainuni ed
in hei  ision,e enasex e nalcondi ionschange(Mus ak&Plé,2020).Thiscogni i e
alignmen minimizesmisunde s andingsandenhancess a egiccoo dina ion.
Coope i ionne wo ksa einhe en lydynamic, equi ingcon inuousins i u ional
main enanceandadap a ion.Technologiessuchasblockchain o  anspa ency,da aan-
aly ics o moni o ing alue lows,anda i icialin elligence o p edic i einsigh scan
augmen ins i u ionalmechanisms,ensu ingequi able esou cealloca ionandenhancing
pa icipan  us .Combinedwi hins i u ionalwo k ha  os e salignmen ac oss egula-
i e,no ma i e,andcogni i edimensions, hese echnologiesenablene wo ks obalance
collabo a ionandcompe i ion.
Figu e3illus a es hekeycomponen sandin e ac ions equi ed o ensu ingsus-
ainabili yandequi able aluedis ibu ionincoope i ionne wo ks.I highligh s hedy-
namicin e playo  egula i e,no ma i e,andcogni i eins i u ionalmain enancemecha-
nisms,suppo edby echnologyands a egicalignmen , o os e Adap abili y, us ,and
sha edunde s andingwi hinase iceecosys em.

Figu e3.Sus ainabili ymechanismsincoope i ionne wo ks,in eg a ingins i u ional,and echno-
logicalelemen s.
Adop inganS-DLogicpe spec i e u he en iches heunde s andingo sus ainable
andequi able aluedis ibu ionincoope i ionne wo ks.S-DLogicemphasizes aluec e-
a ion’ssys emicand ela ionalna u eby iewing heseecosys emsasse ice-o ien ed
pla o mswhe e alueeme ges h oughi e a i ein e ac ionsand esou cein eg a ion.
Thislensencou agess akeholde s op io i ize hecollec i egood, os e inganequi able
dis ibu iono bene i sandensu ing helong- e m iabili yo  heecosys em.
Th ough hesein eg a i eapp oaches,coope i ionne wo kscanbecome esilien 
ecosys emscapableo add essingcomplexma ke challengeswhileensu ingequi able
andsus ainable alueco-c ea ion.Thisdynamicandadap i e amewo kequips
Figu e 3. Sus ainabili y mechanisms in coope i ion ne wo ks, in eg a ing ins i u ional, and echno-
logical elemen s.
Adop ing an S-D Logic pe spec i e u he en iches he unde s anding o sus ainable
and equi able alue dis ibu ion in coope i ion ne wo ks. S-D Logic emphasizes alue
c ea ion’s sys emic and ela ional na u e by iewing hese ecosys ems as se ice-o ien ed
pla o ms whe e alue eme ges h ough i e a i e in e ac ions and esou ce in eg a ion.
This lens encou ages s akeholde s o p io i ize he collec i e good, os e ing an equi able
dis ibu ion o bene i s and ensu ing he long- e m iabili y o he ecosys em.
Th ough hese in eg a i e app oaches, coope i ion ne wo ks can become esilien
ecosys ems capable o add essing complex ma ke challenges while ensu ing equi able and
sus ainable alue co-c ea ion. This dynamic and adap i e amewo k equips ne wo ks o
h i e in e ol ing ma ke en i onmen s while balancing compe i ion and collabo a ion.
Adm. Sci. 2025,15, 64 20 o 29
7. A S a egic F amewo k o Technology-Enabled Coope i ion
Ne wo ks (TECNs)
Building on he se ice ecosys em pe spec i e om S-D Logic (Va go e al.,2015),
his sec ion in oduces a s uc u ed and heo e ically g ounded amewo k o TECNs.
The amewo k encapsula es he sys emic in e play be ween ins i u ional a angemen s,
echnological enable s, and ins i u ional wo k, o e ing a comp ehensi e model o os e ing
compe i ion and collabo a ion wi hin dynamic business ecosys ems.
By in eg a ing ins i u ional s uc u es wi h eme ging echnologies, his amewo k
p o ides ac ionable insigh s in o op imizing i m in e ac ions, sus aining long- e m pa -
ne ships, and d i ing con inuous alue co-c ea ion. I delinea es he key mechanisms
ha enable coope i ion ecosys ems o emain adap i e, esilien , and s a egically aligned,
le e aging echnological ad ancemen s o enhance go e nance, esou ce in eg a ion, and
ne wo k scalabili y.
This sec ion elabo a es on he amewo k’s co e cons uc s, illus a ing how i ms can
design and implemen echnology-enabled coope a ion ne wo ks ha balance compe i i e
ensions wi h coope a i e syne gies. By s uc u ing in e ac ions h ough echnological
in as uc u e and ins i u ional con igu a ions, businesses can ensu e sus ainable and
scalable alue c ea ion, e ec i ely na iga ing he challenges o digi al ans o ma ion and
dynamic ma ke condi ions.
7.1. Co e Cons uc s o he F amewo k
The p oposed amewo k o coope i ion ne wo ks is buil upon h ee undamen al
cons uc s: ins i u ions and ins i u ional a angemen s, ins i u ional echnologies, and
ins i u ional wo k. These componen s shape in e ac ion lows, go e nance s uc u es,
and he balance be ween collabo a ion and compe i ion, ensu ing he sus ainabili y and
Adap abili y o coope i ion ne wo ks.
7.1.1. Ins i u ions and Ins i u ional A angemen s
Ins i u ions and ins i u ional a angemen s p o ide he ounda ion o coope i ion
ne wo ks, shaping beha iou s, in e ac ions, and collabo a i e e o s. These elemen s
de ine he ules, no ms, and sha ed unde s andings ha egula e ecosys em ope a ions,
ensu ing bo h cohesion and lexibili y: (1) Regula i e Elemen s— o mal ules, con ac s,
ag eemen s, and compliance mechanisms es ablish bounda ies, ensu ing consis ency ac oss
he ne wo k; No ma i e Elemen s—sha ed alues, e hical s anda ds, and us -based
no ms os e collabo a ion and guide beha iou s owa d collec i e goals; and (3) Cog-
ni i e Elemen s—a sha ed unde s anding o objec i es and s a egic alignmen ensu es
coo dina ion, minimizes con lic s and enhances adap i e decision-making.
By in eg a ing hese elemen s, coope i ion ne wo ks achie e s abili y and s a egic
alignmen while emaining adap able o egula o y and ma ke shi s.
7.1.2. Ins i u ionalized Technologies
Technology plays a dual ole in enabling coope i ion ne wo ks, ac ing as bo h an
ope an and ope and esou ce o d i e inno a ion, in e ac ion, and ecosys em scalabili y:
(1) angible inno a ion (ope and) such as cloud compu ing, IoT, and blockchain, among
o he s can p o ide he physical and digi al in as uc u e ha suppo s esou ce in eg a ion
and collabo a ion; and (2) in angible inno a ions (ope an ) such as AI, machine lea ning,
and da a analy ics, among o he s, enhance s a egic decision-making, enabling i ms o
iden i y new oppo uni ies, op imize p ocesses, and scale in e ac ions.

Adm. Sci. 2025,15, 64 21 o 29
These echnologies enable seamless esou ce in eg a ion and se ice exchange by
b eaking down adi ional ba ie s, allowing ac o s o co-c ea e alue in a digi ally con-
nec ed en i onmen .
7.1.3. Ins i u ional Wo k
Ins i u ional wo k e e s o he delibe a e e o s by ac o s o c ea e, main ain, and
dis up ins i u ional amewo ks, ensu ing he ne wo k’s long- e m Adap abili y and
esilience. These e o s include (1) C ea ing New Ins i u ions—es ablishing new ules,
no ms, and s uc u es ha align wi h he ecosys em’s e ol ing needs; (2) Main aining
Exis ing Ins i u ions— ein o cing and adap ing cu en amewo ks o sus ain s abili y
while emaining esponsi e o ex e nal shi s; (3) and Dis up ing Ins i u ions—challenging
ou da ed s uc u es and ine iciencies, enabling he ne wo k o ealign wi h eme ging
oppo uni ies and echnological ad ancemen s.
This con inuous cycle o ins i u ional c ea ion, main enance, and dis up ion ensu es
ha he coope i ion ne wo k emains dynamic, os e ing long- e m inno a ion, collabo a-
ion, and compe i i e ad an age.
Figu e 4illus a es he in e play be ween ins i u ions, echnologies, and ins i u ional
wo k in enabling coope i ion ne wo ks. I highligh s how new ac o s en e he ne wo k
and in e ac wi h egula i e, no ma i e, and cogni i e elemen s, shaping he ins i u ional
en i onmen . O e ime, ac o s engage in ins i u ional wo k, ei he main aining, dis up ing,
o c ea ing new ins i u ions, ensu ing ha he coope i ion ne wo k emains adap i e,
esilien , and s a egically aligned.
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andda aanaly ics,amongo he s,enhances a egicdecision-making,enabling i ms o
iden i ynewoppo uni ies,op imizep ocesses,andscalein e ac ions.
These echnologiesenableseamless esou cein eg a ionandse iceexchangeby
b eakingdown adi ionalba ie s,allowingac o s oco-c ea e alueinadigi allycon-
nec eden i onmen .
7.1.3.Ins i u ionalWo k
Ins i u ionalwo k e e s o hedelibe a eeffo sbyac o s oc ea e,main ain,and
dis up ins i u ional amewo ks,ensu ing hene wo k’slong- e mAdap abili yand e-
silience.Theseeffo sinclude(1)C ea ingNewIns i u ions—es ablishingnew ules,
no ms,ands uc u es ha alignwi h heecosys em’se ol ingneeds;(2)Main ainingEx-
is ingIns i u ions— ein o cingandadap ingcu en  amewo ks osus ains abili y
while emaining esponsi e oex e nalshi s;(3)andDis up ingIns i u ions—challeng-
ingou da eds uc u esandinefficiencies,enabling hene wo k o ealignwi heme ging
oppo uni iesand echnologicalad ancemen s.
Thiscon inuouscycleo ins i u ionalc ea ion,main enance,anddis up ionensu es
ha  hecoope i ionne wo k emainsdynamic, os e inglong- e minno a ion,collabo a-
ion,andcompe i i ead an age.
Figu e4illus a es hein e playbe weenins i u ions, echnologies,andins i u ional
wo kinenablingcoope i ionne wo ks.I highligh shownewac o sen e  hene wo k
andin e ac wi h egula i e,no ma i e,andcogni i eelemen s,shaping heins i u ional
en i onmen .O e  ime,ac o sengageinins i u ionalwo k,ei he main aining,dis up -
ing,o c ea ingnewins i u ions,ensu ing ha  hecoope i ionne wo k emainsadap i e,
esilien ,ands a egicallyaligned.
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Figu e4.Keycons uc so coope i ionne wo ks:ins i u ions, echnologies,andins i u ionalwo k
enablingcollabo a ion,compe i ion,andadap abili y.
Byin eg a ingins i u ionala angemen s, echnologicalenable s,andins i u ional
wo k, he amewo kp o idesasys ema icapp oach ounde s andinghowcoope i ion
Figu e 4. Key cons uc s o coope i ion ne wo ks: ins i u ions, echnologies, and ins i u ional wo k
enabling collabo a ion, compe i ion, and adap abili y.
By in eg a ing ins i u ional a angemen s, echnological enable s, and ins i u ional
wo k, he amewo k p o ides a sys ema ic app oach o unde s anding how coope i ion
ne wo ks e ol e, ensu ing sus ainable alue co-c ea ion and long- e m compe i i e ad an age.
Adm. Sci. 2025,15, 64 22 o 29
7.2. Sys emic Building Blocks o Technology-D i en Coope i ion Ne wo ks
The amewo k iden i ies se en sys emic building blocks ha unde pin echnology-
d i en coope i ion ne wo ks, ensu ing sus ainable alue co-c ea ion. These componen s
in e ac dynamically, acili a ing he balance be ween collabo a ion and compe i ion while
le e aging echnology o inno a ion and ne wo k s abili y.
The key sys emic building blocks a e as ollows:
1.
Coope i ion Ac o s—The co e pa icipan s in he ne wo k, including i ms, cus ome s,
and s akeholde s, who na iga e he inhe en ensions be ween coope a ion and com-
pe i ion. Thei in e ac ions d i e inno a ion, ma ke expansion, and collec i e alue
co-c ea ion.
2.
Resou ce In eg a ion—The collabo a i e me ging o di e se esou ces, capabili ies,
and compe encies. This in eg a ion s eng hens he ne wo k’s collec i e alue p opo-
si ion, ensu ing supe io ou comes compa ed o indi idual con ibu ions.
3.
Se ice Exchange—The mechanism h ough which esou ces a e sha ed and u i-
lized. This p ocess ein o ces mu ual bene i s, demons a ing he in e dependence o
compe i i e and coope a i e o ces in alue c ea ion.
4.
Ins i u ions and Ins i u ional A angemen s—Go e nance s uc u es ha p o ide
ules, no ms, and sha ed unde s andings. These amewo ks guide in e ac ions,
ensu ing s abili y while allowing o lexibili y and inno a ion.
5.
Nes ed Se ice Ecosys ems—Coope i ion ne wo ks ope a e wi hin b oade se ice
ecosys ems, in e ac ing wi h ex e nal s akeholde s, egula o y bodies, and indus-
y s anda ds. These nes ed laye s e eal he complexi y and ichness o alue co-
c ea ion p ocesses.
6.
Ope and Technologies—Tangible digi al ools such as IoT, blockchain, and cloud
compu ing enable ope a ional e iciency, acili a e coo dina ion, and suppo seamless
esou ce exchange.
7.
Ope an Technologies—In angible, knowledge-based inno a ions like AI, machine
lea ning, and p edic i e analy ics ca alyze decision-making, d i e s a egic ealign-
men s, and os e ne wo k scalabili y.
Figu e 5 isualizes he in e play be ween hese sys emic building blocks, demons a -
ing how echnological ad ancemen s (ope an and ope and echnologies) in eg a e wi h
ins i u ional s uc u es and coope i ion ac o s o sus ain adap i e and esilien ecosys ems.
7.2.1. How he Building Blocks Enable Value Co-C ea ion
Coope i ion ne wo ks can h i e in dynamic ma ke en i onmen s by in eg a ing hese
in e dependen elemen s. The amewo k highligh s h ee c i ical p ocesses:
1.
Coo dina ing Resou ce In eg a ion—Ensu ing pooled esou ces a e s a egically le e -
aged o maximize collec i e bene i s.
2.
Enabling Seamless Se ice Exchange—Facili a ing e icien , ecip ocal in e ac ions
among ne wo k ac o s.
3.
Fos e ing Dynamic Value Co-C ea ion—Encou aging con inuous inno a ion and
Adap abili y, main aining he balance be ween compe i i e di e en ia ion and coop-
e a i e syne gies.
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Figu e5.Buildingblocks o  echnology-d i encoope i ionne wo ks.
7.2.1.How heBuildingBlocksEnableValueCo-C ea ion
Coope i ionne wo kscan h i eindynamicma ke en i onmen sbyin eg a ing
hesein e dependen elemen s.The amewo khighligh s h eec i icalp ocesses:
1. Coo dina ingResou ceIn eg a ion—Ensu ingpooled esou cesa es a egicallyle -
e aged omaximizecollec i ebene i s.
2. EnablingSeamlessSe iceExchange—Facili a ingefficien , ecip ocalin e ac ions
amongne wo kac o s.
3. Fos e ingDynamicValueCo-C ea ion—Encou agingcon inuousinno a ionand
Adap abili y,main aining hebalancebe weencompe i i ediffe en ia ionandcoop-
e a i esyne gies.
7.2.2.S a egicImplica ions o Coope i ionNe wo ks
Thissys emicapp oachp o idess akeholde swi has uc u ed ounda ion o man-
aging hecomplexi ieso  echnology-d i encoope i ion.Thekeys a egic akeawaysa e
as ollows:
1. Le e agingTechnology—Ha nessingdigi al oolsandpla o ms oenhancecollabo-
a ion,au oma ion,andinno a ion.
2. AligningIns i u ionalS uc u es—Es ablishingsha edgo e nancemechanisms o
balancecompe i ionandcoope a ion,ensu inglong- e msus ainabili y.
3. P omo ingDynamicIn e ac ions—Encou agingcon inuousadap a ion oadd ess
eme gingchallenges,d i ingsus ainedinno a ionandcompe i i ead an age.
Byaligningins i u ional amewo kswi h echnologicalad ancemen s, his ame-
wo k ans o mspo en ial i al iesin osyne gis icoppo uni ies, os e inglong- e m
ecosys em esilience,g ow h,and aluec ea ioninanin e connec edwo ld.


Figu e 5. Building blocks o echnology-d i en coope i ion ne wo ks.
7.2.2. S a egic Implica ions o Coope i ion Ne wo ks
This sys emic app oach p o ides s akeholde s wi h a s uc u ed ounda ion o man-
aging he complexi ies o echnology-d i en coope i ion. The key s a egic akeaways a e
as ollows:
1.
Le e aging Technology—Ha nessing digi al ools and pla o ms o enhance collabo-
a ion, au oma ion, and inno a ion.
2.
Aligning Ins i u ional S uc u es—Es ablishing sha ed go e nance mechanisms o
balance compe i ion and coope a ion, ensu ing long- e m sus ainabili y.
3.
P omo ing Dynamic In e ac ions—Encou aging con inuous adap a ion o add ess
eme ging challenges, d i ing sus ained inno a ion and compe i i e ad an age.
By aligning ins i u ional amewo ks wi h echnological ad ancemen s, his ame-
wo k ans o ms po en ial i al ies in o syne gis ic oppo uni ies, os e ing long- e m
ecosys em esilience, g ow h, and alue c ea ion in an in e connec ed wo ld.
8. Conclusions
This s udy uses S-D Logic as a guiding lens o explo e he in e play o echnology
and ins i u ional amewo ks in os e ing sus ainable alue co-c ea ion wi hin coope i ion
ne wo ks. This s udy o e s heo e ical insigh s and p ac ical implica ions o o ganiza ions
na iga ing he complexi ies o compe i ion and collabo a ion in echnology-d i en ecosys-
ems by add essing he undamen al ques ions su ounding echnology’s ole, ins i u ional
con igu a ions, and alue dis ibu ion.
The indings e eal ha echnology se es as bo h an enable and a d i e o coope-
i ion, unc ioning as an ope an esou ce ha uels inno a ion, p edic i e analy ics, and
knowledge sha ing and an ope and esou ce ha p o ides he in as uc u e necessa y o
seamless coo dina ion and secu e in e ac ions. Technologies such as AI, blockchain, and
cloud compu ing, among o he s, enhance us and anspa ency and acili a e esou ce
Adm. Sci. 2025,15, 64 24 o 29
in eg a ion and adap i e decision-making, allowing i ms o balance compe i i e ensions
wi h collabo a i e syne gies.
Beyond echnology, his s udy unde sco es he c i ical ole o ins i u ional s uc u es
in ensu ing e ec i e coope i ion. Regula i e elemen s, such as con ac s and indus y
s anda ds, es ablish us and ope a ional consis ency. No ma i e elemen s, including
sha ed alues and e hical no ms, align o ganiza ional beha iou s owa d collec i e goals,
and cogni i e elemen s, such as common na a i es and sha ed men al models, help
ac o s coo dina e s a egies and minimize con lic s. These ins i u ional dimensions c ea e a
esilien ounda ion o alue co-c ea ion when in eg a ed wi h enabling echnologies.
Sus aining coope i ion ne wo ks equi es a dynamic and i e a i e app oach o alue
dis ibu ion. As ac o s con inuously econ igu e and ecombine hei esou ces, ins i u ional
mechanisms mus moni o and balance con ibu ions and bene i s, ensu ing equi able pa -
icipa ion and long- e m s abili y. Technologies like blockchain can ein o ce ai ness and
accoun abili y, while da a analy ics o e eal- ime insigh s in o alue lows, p omo ing in-
o med decision-making. Ins i u ional wo k is a he hea o his dynamic p ocess, enabling
ne wo ks o adap , e ol e, and balance compe i i e di e en ia ion and coope a i e success.
B inging hese elemen s oge he , his s udy in oduces a comp ehensi e amewo k
buil on se en sys emic building blocks, including coope i ion ac o s, esou ce in eg a-
ion, se ice exchange, ins i u ional a angemen s, nes ed se ice ecosys ems, ope and
echnologies, and ope an echnologies. This amewo k p o ides a s uc u ed app oach
o designing echnology-enabled coope i ion ne wo ks, o e ing a bluep in o i ms o
cul i a e inno a ion, esilience, and sus ainable alue c ea ion.
8.1. Limi a ions
While his s udy p o ides aluable concep ual insigh s in o he ole o echnology in
coope i ion ne wo ks, i emains heo e ical and equi es empi ical alida ion o assess i s
applicabili y in eal-wo ld se ings. As a concep ual s udy, he indings a e de i ed om a
sys ema ic syn hesis o he exis ing li e a u e and heo e ical pe spec i es a he han di ec
empi ical obse a ions. While aluable o heo y-building, his me hodological app oach
p esen s se e al limi a ions ha should be acknowledged.
One o his s udy’s p ima y limi a ions is he lack o empi ical alida ion. While he
p oposed amewo k in eg a es well-es ablished heo ies—S-D Logic, Ins i u ional Theo y,
and echnology esea ch—i s p ac ical applicabili y emains un es ed. Fu u e esea ch
should seek o alida e his model h ough case s udies, indus y su eys, o empi ical
ne wo k analyses, ensu ing ha he heo e ical insigh s hold ac oss di e se indus ies,
business models, and ma ke condi ions.
Ano he limi a ion s ems om po en ial selec ion bias in he li e a u e e iew p o-
cess. The concep ual amewo k was de eloped h ough a a ge ed academic li e a u e
e iew, p io i izing pee - e iewed jou nal a icles and es ablished heo e ical con ibu ions.
Howe e , he e is always a isk ha speci ic ele an pe spec i es, eme ging heo ies,
o indus y-speci ic insigh s a e unin en ionally omi ed. Fu u e esea ch could mi iga e
his by inco po a ing sys ema ic li e a u e e iews o me a-analyses, ensu ing a mo e
comp ehensi e and ep esen a i e examina ion o coope i ion dynamics.
This s udy adop s a gene alized app oach o coope i ion, which may no ully ac-
coun o sec o -speci ic nuances. Coope i ion s a egies and echnology adop ion pa e ns
can a y signi ican ly ac oss indus ies due o di e ences in egula o y en i onmen s,
ma ke s uc u es, and compe i i e landscapes. Fo ins ance, coope i ion in high- ech
indus ies (e.g., pla o m-based digi al ecosys ems) may di e subs an ially om coope-
i ion in adi ional manu ac u ing o se ice sec o s. Fu u e s udies should explo e how