Balancing Competition and Cooperation in Agritech Ecosystems

Abstract

Positioned at the intersection of digital transformation and institutional evolution, this review critically investigates the role of coopetition as a structuring logic for agritech ecosystems. The objective is to interrogate how competition and collaboration co-exist in agri-innovation networks, not as binary opposites but as co-constitutive forces mediated by governance structures, platform infrastructures, and contextual imperatives. The paper synthesizes theoretical frameworks, typological ecosystem classifications, and empirical insights to build a multidimensional understanding of cooptative ecosystem design. Through an integrated analysis of stakeholder dynamics, modular architectures, and platform governance regimes, the review demonstrates that resilient agritech ecosystems depend on adaptive governance, reciprocal transparency, and institutional legitimacy. It identifies key ecosystem types—competitive-led, cooperative-led, and hybrid-orchestrated—and presents a strategic ecosystem matrix tailored to the unique roles of startups, agribusinesses, policymakers, platform providers, and farmer-led cooperatives. The study also highlights critical ethical concerns such as digital colonization, regulatory fragmentation, and the marginalization of smallholders in data-centric innovation architectures. The article transforms coopetition from a practical method into a normative governance model that creates inclusive, sustainable digital agricultural futures that are also just. The article demands that ecosystem actors and researchers, and global institutions to transition from innovation scaling to governance scaffolding through participatory frameworks that are context-sensitive and justice-oriented.