Whether between individuals, local communities, companies, governments or even competitors, cooperation and collaboration are key to meeting the challenges of our time. So say numerous studies by IESE professors, business professionals and managers.
Sustainable strategies
Complex challenges require “collective and coordinated efforts,” governments, businesses and citizens must be “proactive and committed.”
The growth of green mobility presents an opportunity to boost cooperation. We will need “more collaboration and coordination between the private and public sectors to move toward making Europe the first green continent”.
Fewer lone heroes, more participation
Great challenges must be met with “robust action.” This concept originated in a study of chess players that found that the best players persevere in their strategy while adapting flexibly to their opponents’ moves. Fabrizio Ferraro argues that robust action can foster cooperation among multiple parties with differing interests and points of view.
Cooperating and competing are not mutually exclusive
Even competing companies can unlock innovation benefits by partnering with each other. Such is the task of corporate venturing squads: partnerships between agile startups and established companies seeking innovation. According to M. Julia Prats, the advantages of this type of counterintuitive collaboration include better access to startup deal flow and the sharing of knowledge and best practices. She details the keys to these squads’ success in this practical guide.When partnering creates value
Creating collaborative environments in cities
Public-private partnerships (PPP) have become a driving force in addressing the challenges of urban growth. The Public-Private Sector Research Center and IESE PPP for Cities regularly produce reports to help companies and public administrations jointly design, organize and manage sustainable solutions for smart cities. In the words of Joan Enric Ricart, co-director of the Cities in Motion Index, creating sustainable and inclusive cities goes hand in hand with their digital transformation and collaboration with diverse stakeholders.
Collaborating for positive social impact
Faced with a panorama of complex global problems, companies are turning to a more strategic, collaborative and collective model of philanthropy. Companies have begun to understand they can achieve a much more positive social impact by joining forces with other companies, NGOs, governments, and foundations, than they would be able to achieve individually, says Joan Fontrodona of the CaixaBank Chair of Sustainability and Social Impact.
Cooperating for responsible digital transformation
In a context of rapid digital transformation, emerging technologies such as AI or blockchain may contribute to solving global challenges — or exacerbate them. In order to achieve the former, companies must collaborate and cooperate. Llewellyn D.W. Thomas addresses how responsible collaboration can help minimize the carbon footprint of companies’ digital technologies.
Building bridges for international cooperation
International cooperation is important for companies operating at a global level. This implies working closely with governments and international bodies, as is detailed in his recommendations for boards of directors seeking to integrate geopolitics into their strategic discussions.
Read the full article here / IESE Insights
