Reflecting on the Coopetition—Sustainability Nexus: A Systematic Review and Future Research Trajectories

This study aims to analyze the prominent fields of inquiry in existing research at the intersection of coopetition and sustainability using a systematic review. Utilizing thematic content analysis and the adapted APO (antecedent‐process‐outcome) framework, a systematic review is conducted of 129 research articles at the coopetition‐sustainability nexus published between 2011 and 2025. The findings identify the scope and depth of the coopetition‐sustainability literature in terms of the following interrelated themes: antecedents, tensions and trade‐offs, moderators, mediators, and outcomes. A multi‐level integrated framework is developed along the themes to illustrate research deficiencies and promising pathways for future inquiry. Future research trajectories are structured as phenomenon‐centric, theory‐centric, and methodological‐centric research opportunities. Unlike previous systematic reviews that have treated “coopetition” in an isolated manner or focused on the interrelationship between coopetition and innovation, this study provides nuanced perspectives on the potential sustainability implications for coopetition relationships.