Navigating coopetition: A multiple case study of AI and data-driven strategies in the digital platform economy

The convergence of emerging technologies like cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and 5G is catalysing the Fourth Industrial Revolution and driving a paradigm shift toward the rapidly growing digital platform economy. However, the complex coopetition dynamics among AI-powered and data-driven digital platforms challenge traditional resource-based theories in explaining this phenomenon. This multiple case study investigates the coopetitive tactics adopted by digital platform companies when navigating different coopetition situations through the lens of data and AI resources. Eight propositions are developed linking the allocation and application tendencies of data resources to the coopetitive tactics employed by platforms across four coopetition situations. The findings reveal how the unique attributes of data and AI resources influence digital platforms' coopetitive strategy implementation in complex network environments and how companies can strategically combine cooperation and competition when leveraging AI technologies and big data resources on digital platforms.