In fact, we are not talking about some recent business book, and therefore the potential reader should not expect to see very recent cases as support to arguments discussed. But still, the issues are very systematically, clearly and simply explained, although the examples that are used to support the arguments are "old".

I met this "potential classic business book" (or maybe already a "classic business book") as I began to be interested in game theory. Therefore I can easily declare that "Co-opetition" is very appropriate for a person who would like to see solid, practical and especially business-oriented application areas of game theory. With this book, a "101 game theorist" can try and improve herself easily. But on the other hand, this doesn't mean that the only target readers of the book are the ones that are interested in game theory. The authors have achieved to develop and illustrate practical recommendations for business world by utilizing game theory concepts. So anyone who is business life will benefit from the concepts for sure.

The language and the methods of explanation are very clear, far from being complicated and straightforward. The authors have supported all the major concepts and conclusions by using real-life examples. This way, the reader has more "reasons" to learn and remember the arguments discussed throughout the book. The logical order and the simple modular approach used to lead the discussions also help the reader understand everything explained easily. Although the book is in fact a "strategy book", the reader does not have to be someone with background information on strategy. But still, if the reader already has some background in strategic analysis, then the book offers a much more beneficial and enjoyable read. On top of everything, the nice but "not-so-difficult-to-handle complexity" of game theory itself is the real pleasure of the book.

I recommend this book to college students who are to enter business life shortly, to people with active roles in strategic decision making processes of their corporations and to people who are interested in game theory but who don't want to cope with the mathematical models of it. Have a nice read...


Game theory applied on business   March 28, 2001
Karl Jankensgard (Europe)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful

This book applies game theory on business and does so extremely well. I think game theory is clearly the way to approach the subject of strategy, because regular "corporate" and "business" strategy literature seems only loosely connected to actual strategic thinking. Game theory, on the other hand, is an actual theory for thinking strategically. No-one should probably even refer to himself or herself as a strategist without being literate in game theory.

The authors do a wonderful job laying out the principles. They introduce and give a thorough treatment of the concept of complementarity ("making the pie grow"), which is bound to make you a better strategist. What I also liked in this book is the notion that the best way of increasing profits is often not to play the game well but to actually change how the game is played. Reading about this really gives your mind a jump-start.

PARTS refers to the strategic levers of a game, that is the dimensions across which the game of business can be analyzed and changed (to your advantage of course). The book is filled with case studies where the principles can be seen at work. Co-opetition is simply great value for money.

If, after reading this book, you feel like digging further into game theory (there's a good chance you will) I recommend Games of Strategy by Dixit, which is a superb introductory book.


Co-Optetion   February 8, 2006
Anand Gulati (Asia)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful

I was given this book to read by a Professor when i was doing a Masters Program, upon asking him that i want to know and read a little about Game Theory. Well i liked this book so much that i went online and a bought a copy of my own.

Although, this book was first published in 1996 and for what i reason that i am unable to comprehend is not available with all that ease in book stores. But it was an easy find on Amazon.Com.

This book is ideal for someone like me who saw the movie " A beautiful Mind" and was intrigued by what the main character was doing in the first half of the movie, when he uses Game Theory to come out with a result as to how they can all win without anyone actually losing.

What this book does for a student of Business is, it tells you with Umpteen real world examples; how to make use of game theory in business.

Their easy explanation of and the coining of the term 'The Value Net' is a prime example of what they have done in this book.

All in All, a very good read for everyone, I would highly recommend it to anyone, simply because it is easy to understand and tackles a complicated subject with ease.