Rejuvenating business models via startup collaborations: Evidence from the Turkish context

Are Multinational Enterprises (MNEs) equipped to thrive in an environment where agility and resilience are paramount? We examine the impact of MNE-startup collaborations on MNE business models, with a specific focus on Turkey’s emerging market. We analyzed data from in-depth interviews with executives from three MNEs in varied industries, supplemented by secondary sources. Findings show that collaborations enhance MNEs’ resource structure, promoting agility and an intrapreneurial culture. Also, they foster changes in transactive structure, leading to more efficient and resilient networks. Notably, collaborations result in shifts in the value structure of MNEs, enabling the development of new value propositions and exploration of new market segments. The study provides insights into the strategic adjustments MNEs must undertake to remain competitive and highlights the importance of MNE-startup collaborations in responding to market-specific challenges, such as sustainability and digitization, and therefore contributes to our understanding of business model resilience in rapidly evolving markets.