The Competence Pyramid: A Framework for Identifying and Analyzing Firm and Industry Competence

The core capability and competence perspective is respected by both academics and practitioners. The efficacy of this strategic orientation is dependent on a firm's ability to identify its specific technological competencies and managerial capabilities and match these strengths with the assets necessary to gain competitive advantage in the firm's chosen markets. Here a systematic process for the identification of competencies and capabilities present within a firm and those competencies and capabilities needed for development of competitive advantage in an industry is presented. This system uses a pictorial representation referred to as the competency pyramid. The competency pyramid assists with the implementation of a strategy based on the core competency perspective; by assisting a firm in understanding which competencies they currently posses and which they require for success in the markets they have targeted. The use of the competency pyramid is illustrated using both service and manufacturing examples.     

Capitalism, profits and innovation in the new techno-economic paradigm

Innovative profits (of the kind conceptualized by Schumpeter) are today being increasingly created through international corporate networks for technological development. Such profits through innovation are encouraged by newer more flexible organizational forms, and further encouraged (unlike in the conventional perspective on profits and on the incentive to innovate) by knowledge flows between firms. Our empirical evidence, based on US patent data, shows that multinational companies are currently more likely to develop abroad technologies which are less science-based, and less dependent upon tacit knowledge. However, within the science-based industries firms may generate abroad some technologies which are heavily dependent on tacit knowledge, but normally in fields that lie outside their own core technological competencies. We find some evidence of a convergence in corporate technological diversification across large firms, facilitated by the now common spread in the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) as an integrator of formerly separate technological systems. This has led smaller firms to diversify, but giant firms to consolidate activity around those technologies that have become most interrelated.     

Allocation of pollution abatement under learning by doing

This paper examines how learning by doing affects the allocation of pollution abatement between heterogeneous technologies over time. The optimal policy balances current abatement costs against reductions in future costs and infant technologies may be preferred to mature technologies despite greater initial costs. We characterize when a technological winner might emerge and we identify conditions under which optimal abatement is shared across all technologies. Pigouvian taxes can implement the first-best, but may need to be differentiated across technologies. When technical change is induced, an important role of environmental policies is to put abatement on the right technological trajectories.     

The selection of technology for late-starters: A case study of the energy-smart photovoltaic industry

Technology selection, which influences the competitive advantages of an enterprise or a country, is a multi-criteria decision issue. In addition, it is increasingly difficult to identify the right technologies because technologies are increasing in number and complexity. This study proposes a technology selection process integrating the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and Delphi method. The former effectively conducts the fuzziness existing in experts' responses and identifies the strength of technology selection criteria and the relationship between the two. The latter provides the main technology alternatives for Taiwan's future photovoltaic industry. Finally, through the two-way linkage between technology selection criteria and main industrial technologies, the technology fields of the photovoltaic industry can be identified. The empirical results indicate that the benefit of a technology is the most important factor among technological selection criteria, and that Taiwan should adopt and develop microcrystalline silicon film multi-junction and amorphous-silicon solar cells as its main industrial technologies. The results may serve to guide industrial technology acquisition and the work of resource allocations on the behalf of government and enterprises.     

Discontinuities in genetic engineering for pharmaceuticals? firms jumps and lock-in in systems of Innovation

This pape criticizes the concept of 'technological discontinuities'. It argues that the concept is misleading when the skills and knowledge of an indusry are composed of multiple rather than single core technologies. In cases such as the use of genetic engineering as the basis of production in pharmaceuticals, both existing pharmaceutical firms and new biotech firms integrate the new techniques into existing indusrial practice. The radical tecnology both enhances and destroys existing knowledge; the key to survival has been integration. Both existing and new firms have had the possibility of integrating multiple core technologies, but firms have been able to do so in different ways. Some existing firms could jump over to the radically new ‘technological trajectory’, by combining their creation of new competencies through in-house R&D with their access to novelty through relations with external agents in systems of innovation.     

Industry-specific competencies and converging technological systems: evidence from patents

Utilising patent data, this empirical paper draws upon the notion of technological path-dependence at the industry level and finds that industry-specific competencies have endured strongly over the twentieth century — industrial sectors patent most in their corresponding technological fields, and differences in overall technological profiles remain quite marked. However, in an increasingly complex technological environment, paradigms developed within one industry may spill over into others as firms seek to absorb them. Eventually, after long periods of time the spillovers may become large as firms go beyond the development of new applications of their core technologies into the absorption of new modes of technological behaviour originally developed elsewhere. Technological profiles therefore show a pattern of ‘convergence’ under such conditions. Firms unable to attain this second stage of spillover may become ‘industrial dinosaurs’.     

The semiconductor silicon industry roadmap: Epochs driven by the dynamics between disruptive technologies and core competencies

The resource-based perspective has done much to identify idiosyncratic firm attributes that may be a principal source of competitive advantages. Unfortunately, there has been little systematic industry evidence to support the strategic importance of core competence, nor has there been much work on the temporal or cumulative nature of core capabilities within an industrial setting. Further, little or no research has been performed demonstrating how the advent of technological discontinuities or disruptive technologies plays a part in creating epochs in technology competency development and the roadmap of an industry. In this study, we analyze the evolutionary and cumulative nature of core capabilities and their interactions with technological discontinuities from a market-driven perspective. We have studied the evolution of 167 firms through the 50-year history of the semiconductor silicon industry. Over time, there were several structural shifts in the necessary competencies through the advent of disruptive technologies. In the last 30 years, however, the change in the required competencies has been more cumulative in nature. We summarize this in a roadmap detailing the epochs in the semiconductor silicon industry.     

A systematic approach to identify core service technologies

In spite of the importance of service technologies in the service industry, they have not been analysed systematically. In response, this study proposes a new approach to identify core service technologies. At first, the technological interrelationship matrices from the perspectives of intensity, relatedness, and cross-impact are constructed with support, lift, and confidence values calculated by conducting an association rule mining on the co-classification information of business method patent data. The analytic network process is applied to the constructed technological interrelationship matrices in order to produce the importance values of service technologies from each perspective, considering their direct and indirect interrelationships. Data envelopment analysis is then employed to the derived importance values in order to identify core service technologies, putting three perspectives together. The proposed approach can be utilised for both firms’ planning of service technologies and service innovation policy-making of governments.     

Strategic technology scanning

This article proposes a procedure for strategic technology scanning, an activity that has received insufficient attention in the literature to date. Strategic technology scanning is needed to strengthen the link between technology and corporate strategy. This link is ever present although not always explicitly managed. For instance, while it is commonly recognized that the corporate mission dictates the technological interests of the organization, it is not always sufficiently emphasized that it is the quality of technology foresight that shapes the corporate mission in the first place.Scanning enhances technology foresight by seeking major distinguishing features in the technological landscape. These features are termed landmark technologies and serve as indicators of evolving technological and economic potential. For the strategic manager landmark technologies can become focal points for understanding the external environment, very much as core competencies have become focal points for understanding the internal capabilities of the organization.The scanning procedure proposed here is tailored to fit conventional procedures for strategic planning. However, it employs new theoretical structures from the field of strategic technology analysis; and calls for involvement of all levels of the corporate hierarchy-from the corporate board to the technology analyst. It seeks to maximize corporate learning.     

Understanding the dynamics of technological configurations: A conceptual framework and the case of Smart Homes

This paper explores the innovation dynamics of technological configurations using one particular case study. Technological configurations have been defined in the literature as technical systems with no generic identity, i.e. they are the subset of technical systems for which the pattern of how to arrange the components (architectural knowledge) is defined during implementation. While the implementation of configurations is relatively well understood, knowledge about how configurational technologies evolve as a whole is still underdeveloped. This paper closes this gap and introduces a conceptual framework to understand the dynamics of technological configurations. In particular, the framework introduces the notions of technological field and field learning to add a diachronic and cumulative dimension to the original idea.I apply the framework to the empirical case of Smart Home systems in order to provide a systematic analysis of the underlying innovation dynamics. In particular, I show how the configurational nature of Smart Home systems, and its acknowledgement to various degrees in the corresponding technological field, relates to the emerging innovation dynamics. I conclude with two sets of results. First, I identify a number of conditions on which the future stabilization of the field into cumulative forms of learning depends. Secondly, I draw a range of conclusions with regard to the dynamics of configurational technologies in general.     

Choosing Between Internal and Non-internal R&D Activities: Some Technological and Economic Factors

This paper evaluates some of the technological and economic factors that underlie the choice between in-house R&D, R&D alliances and outsourcing. We recount the reasons for the growth in non-internal activities, and explain why these are not as prevalent for R&D as other value-adding activities, and highlight that outsourcing is most often undertaken where multiple, substitutable sources are available. We then develop two frameworks. First, a static framework is developed, which evaluates the choice of mode based on a firm's distribution of competencies, and their strategic importance. Second, a dynamic framework is developed that demonstrates how the static framework differs depending on whether the firm is engaged in pre-paradigmatic, paradigmatic or post-paradigmatic sectors. We also consider the effect of new technologies being introduced to a firm's portfolio of competencies     

Choosing Between Internal and Non-internal R&D Activities: Some Technological and Economic Factors

This paper evaluates some of the technological and economic factors that underlie the choice between in-house R&D, R&D alliances and outsourcing. We recount the reasons for the growth in non-internal activities, and explain why these are not as prevalent for R&D as other value-adding activities, and highlight that outsourcing is most often undertaken where multiple, substitutable sources are available. We then develop two frameworks. First, a static framework is developed, which evaluates the choice of mode based on a firm's distribution of competencies, and their strategic importance. Second, a dynamic framework is developed that demonstrates how the static framework differs depending on whether the firm is engaged in pre-paradigmatic, paradigmatic or post-paradigmatic sectors. We also consider the effect of new technologies being introduced to a firm's portfolio of competencies     

企业核心能力测度方法探讨及应用研究

国内外关于核心能力的研究主要集中在核心能力的性质和特征,以及如何识别核心能力等方面。而对核心能力测度方面问题的探索,则无论在理论上还是实践上都非常不足。通过对企业核心能力本质的透视,并结合层次分析法提出了科学的企业核心能力测度指标体系。采集上市公司的年报数据,对我国能源类上市公司核心能力进行了测度和评价。     

基于关键节点与关键路径的专利集群网络演进研究

专利作为技术和知识的重要载体,是研究技术演进和产业发展的重要信息源。目前缺乏针对专利集群网络中关键节点与关键路径中节点的比较分析和技术知识挖掘。构建基于关键节点和关键路径的专利集群网络演进模型,从两个层面综合分析技术演进特征。检索德温特数据库(Derwent Innovation Index)得到碳化硅肖特基势垒二极管（SiC-SBD）相关专利作为实证数据,时间跨度为1986-2017年。结果表明,SiC-SBD专利集群网络经历了萌芽期、成长期、成熟期和衰退期,其中,萌芽期专利主要涉及基础技术,成长期为器件结构,以完善器件结构、改进二极管性能为主要研究方向。近年来SiC-SBD专利年增长率下降,技术发展速度放缓,专利价值更多体现在其商业价值上。SiC-SBD专利集群网络关键节点与关键路径中节点重合度较高,核心专利识别可通过多视角分析得到。通过关键节点与关键路径分析专利集群网络演进过程,有助于更全面呈现技术演进过程,为决策者识别核心专利、预测技术发展提供参考。     

Technological barriers and research trends in fuel cell technologies: A citation network analysis

Fuel cell technologies have long been recognized as one of the most promising future energy solutions. Nevertheless, major technological barriers hinder the potential realization of this clean energy source. Citation network analysis methodology is used here to identify major research trends, critical technological issues, and proposed resolutions to raise the effectiveness of investment of R&D resources in fuel cell technology development.The main path analyses identify two research streams for the Proton-Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) and Direct Methanol Fuel Cell (DMFC) technologies. Analyses of cited publications show that most of the technological barriers for PEMFC have been addressed and that performance has reached an acceptable level. On the other hand, DMFC still suffers from methanol and water crossover problems. Multiple main path analysis identifies specific research groups working on technological problems in DMFC. The Direct Formic Acid Fuel Cell (DFAFC) and Direct Ethanol Fuel Cell (DEFC) have recently emerged to address the toxicity of methanol, while DMFC performance is being enhanced through research on porous carbon plates, water transportation, and methanol concentrations, and the research group at Micro DMFC is applying fuel cells in electronics devices. Despite considerable research on Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC), its research stream does not appear in the main paths, most likely because of a broad divergence in research subjects. Growth curve analysis forecasts that fuel cell research is in the growth stage and will enter maturity in 2018. Although emerging technologies show advantages in performance and cost, the findings presented here can raise the effectiveness of critical research project selection, thus increasing the likelihood of success.     

能量转换视角下人工智能关键核心技术产业化路径解析

人工智能是驱动新一轮科技革命和产业变革的中坚力量，探究人工智能关键核心技术产业化路径对于我国数字经济发展、数字化转型和创新型国家建设具有重要意义。基于能量转换视角，探讨人工智能技术产业化路径形成机理，识别人工智能关键核心技术产业化路径并对其进行解析。研究发现：①人工智能技术产业化过程存在能量转换，技术创新能量、催化孕育能量、商业转化能量和业态塑造能量共同构成能量转换的核心环节，决定技术产业化路径具体过程；②人工智能关键核心技术包括机器学习、计算机视觉、自然语言处理等八大技术领域，不同属性核心技术构成相应技术集群，形成以识别、交互和执行为主题的技术产业化路径；③技术集群属性是影响技术产业化路径的关键因素。从能量视角对人工智能关键核心技术进行有效识别和归纳，为我国科学推进人工智能技术产业化进程提供相应思路启示与政策响应。     

Forecasting MBT technologies using DEA and LR

First, this paper explores Main Battle Tank (MBT) data set with different statistical methods in order to decide the most appropriate variables as reliable yardsticks in applying technology forecasting (TF) using data envelopment analysis (TFDEA) technique. It then applies TF using DEA method to forecast MBT technologies. This article attempts to predict technology development year of MBT commercialised from 1941 to 1994. This article presents the processes of TFDEA in detail and identifies some issues to search for appropriate input and output variables to forecast MBT technologies. The purpose of this study is to address some issues and identify an appropriate data to predict future trends of MBT technologies when using TFDEA and multiple linear regression tools. Finally, the study provides an understanding of the technological advances being sought in MBT technologies and information for use in making decisions regarding development strategy.     

The impact of old technologies on innovation: the case of the US biotechnology industry

This paper investigates the implications of a technology sourcing strategy maintaining a focus on the rediscovery of old technologies. Specifically, we study the different impact exerted by old technological solutions, distinguished on the basis of their organisational and industrial origins, on the innovation value. We develop a set of hypotheses about the impact exerted by four distinct types of old technological solutions (firm core technological heritage, firm lateral technological heritage, competitors’ technological heritage and others’ technological heritage) and test them on a sample of 1189 biotechnology patents registered at the US Patent and Trademark Office from 1979 to 2002. Results strongly support our hypotheses, revealing that: (1) using both firm core technological heritage and others’ technological heritage has an inverted U-shaped effect on innovation value; (2) employing firm lateral technological heritage is positively related to innovation value; (3) a negative relationship occurs between competitors’ core technological heritage and the value of subsequent innovations.     

From 3G to 4G: technology evolution and path dynamics in China's mobile telecommunication sector

This paper adopts a standard-related lens on technology trajectory to analyse the mobile telecommunication technology choices beyond the third generation (3G) in one of the largest emerging countries. The attempt is made to model and map the technological evolution based on different standard platforms and through competing technologies under the globalised background. The interplay between different stakeholders behind different technological standards in China is examined. Whether and to what extent technological developments have respectively shaped the paths is also explored. We identify the key technological, commercial and institutional dynamics driving such technology evolution, and argue that large emerging countries can pursue their own policy agenda while dealing with the diverse interests of various stakeholders home and abroad. We also indicate that there remain some high uncertainties in terms of future technology trajectories under the emerging contexts.     

Interlinkages between systems, key components and component generic technologies in building competencies

In the paper, an analysis is made of the intolinkages between systems, key components and components' generic technologies in building technological competencies. The sample consists of a set of seven Japanese and four European firm in the industrial, consumer electronics and materials sectors, engaged in the field of optoelectronics. Three tyes of information-—scientific publications, US patenting and interview data—are used. The findings demonstrate the existence ofsuch interlinkages.It was possible to confirm empirically the concept of generic technologies which are the basic underbing technologies forming thefoundation of a range of key components. The generic technologia are important for all firms, irrespectives of their final product markets. Building capabilities at the upstream and over a long period allows firms to develop more high value-added systems and products. It also provides forms with the opportunity to branch into new areas.