Coopetitive relationships in cross-functional software development teams: How to model and measure?

Understanding simultaneous cooperative and competitive (coopetitive) dynamics in cross-functional software development teams is fundamental to the success of software development process. The recent coopetition research is, however, hampered by a lack of conceptual focus, and the corresponding inconsistent treatment of the constructs associated with cross-functional coopetitive relationships. This study conceptualizes and operationalizes the multi-dimensional construct of cross-functional coopetition, and then presents an instrument for measuring this construct. Cross-functional coopetition is conceptualized with 5 distinct and independent constructs; 3 of them are related to cross-functional cooperation, and 2 are associated with cross-functional competition. The data collected from 115 software development project managers in Australia confirms the applicability of the constructs and their measures. This study contributes to the extant literature by providing a consensus on the conceptualization of cross-functional coopetitive behaviors, particularly in multi-party software development teams. The conceptual basis for cross-functional coopetition and its instrument will aid researchers and project managers interested in understanding coopetition in cross-functional collaborative contexts. Research and practical implications are discussed.

► We conceptualize coopetitive relationships in cross-functional teams.
► We examine the proposed conceptual basis in multi-party software development teams.
► Cross-functional coopetition consists of five distinct components.
► We provide a consensus on the conceptualization and measurement of coopetition.