EN
Emergence of cooperative linkages among competitors quite often accompanies rivalries and the operation price mechanism. This particular type of relations among the actors taking part in market game is termed coopetition. In the article the processes of coopetition are described as instruments that control the behavior of firms. In particular, factors that influence the results of processes by which firms compete and cooperate among themselves are identified. It is stressed that further empirical research on coopetition needs a thorough systematization of concepts and methods.