PRO-COOPERA: development of a model of customized indicators, which allows to select compatible partners within a concrete market, in order to create enterprise cooperation networks.

The enterprise cooperation agreements are a strategic tool more and more used by the companies. However, the search of strategic partners for cooperation projects, for the conception of joint market channels as well as for the joint ventures creation is a complex and touchy subject. The partner election determines the model of relations among the involved enterprises, the structure and typology of cooperation agreements and, most of all, the success or failure of this important strategic gamble. Despite that, sometimes we do not have the appropriate tools, which could provide clear criteria for these partners selection. We are searching them, but without any guide for it.

This research project aims to solve the following question: Which partners does an enterprise need in order to achieve its goals?

Our purposed goal is to develop a model of customized indicators, which could evaluate the success variables in cooperation networks design, within multi-organizational environments, where the uncertainty about the partner election exists.

We will use qualitative as well as quantitative methodologies, and simulation virtual agent-based systems.

The use of this model will allow us to explore questions linked to the influence of the ressources capacities or their economic assessment, as well as the policies, strategies and business principles of each member of the study scope, in the cooperation networks construction.

The developed model will be validated by its application to inter-firm cooperation projects.

SME
cooperation
indicators
network
system dynamics
modelling of complex systems
business dynamics
agent based modelling
social systems
SSH
Partners selection
Reciprocal distribution
Reciprocal production systems
Joint distribution channels
Joint ventures constitution

The consortium already counts on the needed RTD performers, which are the following:

- English University, speciallized in business management, operations and knowledge management as well as in business and information systems.
- Spanish University, from the knowledge field of new organizational structures management control.
- Spanish consultancy company, with broad experience in Consultancy services, Local Development and Cooperation Networks, playing a RTD performer role.
- Italian Research Centre, working at the intersection among cognitive, social and computational sciences.