Working together in the moment without understanding why or how it happens. See Collaboration.

The idea that two agents can increase both their fitnesses by mutual help rather than by competition. This assumes that resources adequate for both exist, or are created by the interaction, and relates to synergy (synergic coevolution) and 'compositional evolution'.

Association of persons or institutions for common benefit. In this Report generally used to denote the collaboration for purposes of spreading technology, practices or know-how.

A group of libraries banded together by an agreement which states common services to be provided, such as cooperative book buying, cataloging, and reference service.

Interaction of two or more parties along the supply chain for the purpose of doing business. Compared to collaboration, cooperation typically describes a strictly structured approach to interaction based on regulated standards, whereas integration describes a tighter connection often limited to within a single company.

In cooperation, disputants work together to solve a mutual problem. According to Morton Deutsch, ( Resolution of Conflict, 1973) a cooperative situation is one in which the goals of the participants are so linked that any participant can attain his goal if, and only if, the others with whom he is linked can attain their goals. It is contrasted with a competitive approach, in which it is assumed that it is impossible to win unless the other side loses.

Cooperation between the judicial systems of EU Member States, as well as between their law-enforcement agencies, is a central policy of justice and home affairs; it includes recognition of other Member States' judgments and bringing together procedural law. (See Judicial cooperation in criminal matters, Judicial cooperation in civil matters ; police and customs cooperation ).

animals working together toward a common end or purpose.

Working together toward a common end. In Lynne Borden's work, Levels of Linkage, cooperation is more complex than networking and less complex than coordination, coalition and collaboration.

Cooperation, co-operation, or coöperationThe third variant is now somewhat rare. This is a rare example of a diacritic not borrowed from any foreign language, but purely of English origin (compare the original French coopération). See the list of English words with diacritics for other examples, refers to the practice of people or greater entities working in common with commonly agreed upon goals and possibly methods, instead of working separately in competition.