In this research talk, I am presenting my PhD proposal on the topic of incumbent-entrant collaborations during sustainability transitions. Recent research has recognized that grand sustainability challenges require and elicit coordinated and collaborative efforts. Particularly the interplay between incumbent firms and newcomers has increasingly been recognized as important for addressing grand challenges.
However, so far, the role of incumbents and entrants have mainly been studied in separation from one another. I seek to address this research gap and contribute to the literature by offering novel insights on the development of incumbent-entrant relationships in the context of sustainability pressures. These insights will also provide a better understanding of the associated logics and challenges of asymmetric interfirm partnerships and on the changing role, values and strategies of incumbent firms during sustainability transitions.