The cooperation phase occurs when the organization creates conditions and systems to bring all stakeholders together, both internal and external, to facilitate ideas and knowledge sharing.

• A. Isolating internal teams
• B. Creating conditions to bring stakeholders together; horizontal linkages model; open innovation
• C. Solely internal R&D
• D. Outsourcing everything

Answer: (B)

The idea here is collaboration across boundaries, bringing together both internal and external stakeholders to share ideas and knowledge. In the cooperation phase, the organization deliberately builds the conditions and systems that enable this cross-boundary interaction. This includes setting up horizontal linkages—connections across different parts of the organization at similar levels and with external partners—so information and expertise flow freely instead of staying trapped in silos. It also embraces open innovation, which seeks value by incorporating ideas, technologies, and contributions from outside the organization as well as inside, rather than relying solely on internal R&D.

That’s why creating conditions to bring stakeholders together, along with horizontal linkages and open innovation, best captures this phase. Other approaches—isolating internal teams, focusing only on internal R&D, or outsourcing everything—break down collaboration and hinder the sharing of ideas and knowledge across boundaries.