CUSTOMER POWER,STRATEGIC INVESTMENT,AND THE FAILURE OF LEADING FIRMS

Why might firms be regarded as astutely managed at one point, yet subsequently lose their positions of industry leadership when faced with technological change? We present a model, grounded in a study of the world disk drive industry, that charts the process through which the demands of a firm's customers shape the allocation of resources in technological innovation—a model that links theories of resource dependence and resource allocation. We show that established firms led the industry in developing technologies of every sort—even radical ones—whenever the technologies addressed existing customers' needs. The same firms failed to develop simpler technologies that initially were only useful in emerging markets, because impetus coalesces behind, and resources are allocated to, programs targeting powerful customers. Projects targeted at technologies for which no customers yet exist languish for lack of impetus and resources. Because the rate of technical progress can exceed the performance demanded in a market, technologies which initially can only be used in emerging markets later can invade mainstream ones, carrying entrant firms to victory over established companies.     

Integrating innovation and learning curve theory: an enabler for moving nanotechnologies and other emerging process technologies into production

Process technology selection is biased against selection of emerging process technologies such as nanotechnologies, biotechnology and microtechnologies (MEMS), since these decisions are frequently based on assumptions that are only valid for mature sustaining process technologies. This is a great concern since emerging process technologies are drivers of economic growth, especially in developed economies. We consider the learning curve literature and integrate it with the literature on technological trajectories and innovation to develop a theory for modeling the learning curve for emerging process technologies.     

Coopetition,standardization and general purpose technologies: A framework and an application

We argue that coopetition and standardization are important dimensions in the analysis of general-purpose technologies (GPT). We synthesize ideas from GPT, standardization, and coopetition literatures and introduce a framework for empirical analysis of GPTs that are enabled by standards development and related coopetition. We apply this framework and analyze the role of coopetition in standardization of wireless cellular technology, which has been recently discussed as a GPT. We document that coopetition and standardization have been associated with increasing improvement, innovation spawning, and pervasiveness—the characteristics of GPTs—in the context of wireless cellular technology. The perspective of standardization and coopetition could shed further light on the technological progress and evolution related to emerging GPT candidates, such as artificial intelligence and blockchain.     

Sources, characteristics and effects of emerging technologies: Research opportunities in innovation

Diverse technological developments across information technology, biotechnology, nanotechnology, and satellite communications technology are dramatically altering industry landscapes, with important economic and policy implications. Not surprisingly, therefore, managers are challenged to develop strategies to cope with the threats posed by emerging technologies and leverage the opportunities posed by them. Indeed, there is growing anecdotal evidence that firms' inabilities to cope with emerging technologies have produced high product and firm failure rates.From an academic perspective, I argue that emerging technologies have important distinctive features that have not been examined in current theory in marketing, and specifically, in organizational innovation. In this article, I identify several research questions that emerge from the sources, characteristics and effects of emergent technologies in the area of organizational innovation. Insights generated from such a line of inquiry have the potential to broaden the canvas of innovation theory and provide valuable insights to managers who confront these onerous challenges on a daily basis.     

Understanding the strategies of late-movers in International Manufacturing

This paper analyzes the internationalization of new multinationals from emerging countries. It also focuses on Production's role in firm internationalization, a subject seldom addressed because the discipline of International Manufacturing is still embryonic, while International Business tends to overlook production. The authors integrate International Business and International Manufacturing concepts and frameworks in order to analyze new multinationals from emerging countries, using the empirical evidence of a survey plus case studies of Brazilian multinationals for understanding late-movers’ strategies and competences, with emphasis on production.     

An exploratory study of product development in emerging economies: evidence from medical device testing in India

Recent research has studied innovation in emerging economies. However, microlevel product development processes in these economies are relatively unexplored, and the mechanisms by which the emerging economy context might affect such processes are still unclear. In this paper, we explore the testing routines fundamental to product development in one emerging economy. Based on an exploratory field study of medical device development projects in India, we observe the frequent, iterative testing of prototypes in clinical settings and investigate the related learning process. The observed testing approach is distinctly different from the comparatively linear and sequential approach adopted by medical device development teams in developed countries like the United States. Further, we suggest that such testing is feasible in India because of the prevailing regulatory flexibility, the cognitive orientation of device development practitioners and the normative orientation of medical professionals.     

Robust future‐oriented technology portfolios: Black–Litterman approach

We propose a new way of constructing more robust technology portfolios to overcome the weaknesses of previous technology portfolios based either on the judgments of experts or on quantitative data such as patents. Instead of using historical data, the method of nonlinear forecasting enables us to forecast the future number of patent citations and accordingly, to use the forecast as a quantitative proxy for future returns and risks of technologies. Using the Black–Litterman portfolio model, we improve the accuracy of inputs by combining the future views of experts with the future returns and risks of technologies. As a consequence of this, the portfolio becomes strongly future‐oriented. With our approach, corporate managers use both experts and data more effectively to build robust technology portfolios. In particular, our method is of great help for companies launching new businesses because the method avoids heavy dependency on internal experts with little knowledge about emerging technologies. A company entering the molecular amplification instrument market is exemplified herein.     

Technology adoption and value chains in developing countries: Evidence from dairy in India

Adoption of modern technologies in agriculture is crucial for improving productivity and welfare of poor farmers in developing countries. Not much is known about how value chains do (not) affect technology transfer and/or adoption in food chains in developing countries. We analyze farm-level technology adoption in the dairy chain in India, using unique survey data. The dairy chain in India is an important case because the Indian government has promoted development of the dairy sector for its potential for ‘pro-poor’ growth, and because value chain initiatives had strong effects on dairy farm technology in other countries with imperfect markets and growth in demand. We find that despite rapid growth in milk consumption and production, technology adoption in the form of better hygienic practices, better feed and improved livestock was mixed, and low for certain regions and technologies. So far, the role of value chains in the adoption of new technologies seems to be minor.     

One year ahead! Investigating the time lag between patent publication and market launch: insights from a longitudinal study in the automotive industry

Technology‐oriented companies find themselves confronted with the challenge of having to react quickly to technology‐based innovations by competitors. Especially the market launches of innovative products have the ability to change the competitive environment dramatically. This calls for the ability to discern product technologies in due time. Even though several methods of technology monitoring are based on patent information, the important time lag between patent disclosure and market launch is still unclear and volatile for reasons unknown. Therefore, we have analyzed this time lag of a respective product by way of a longitudinal case study in the field of automotive engineering. The results show that in our case, patents form a valuable information source in short‐term product technology monitoring. Hence, analyzing patents in the context of product technologies and reacting to emerging products is a race against time.     

Realigning research and extension to focus on farmers’ constraints and opportunities

This paper argues that research and extension have failed to (1) develop technologies that take into account farmers’ resource constraints and risks; and (2) improve farmers’ capacity to adapt technologies to their own situations. The paper critiques continued use of blanket, high-dose fertilizer recommendations, arguing for approaches that teach farmers how to maximize returns from smaller, more affordable input purchases. Developing such technologies requires that researchers integrate a wider range of stakeholders (farmers, extension agents, agricultural exporters and processors) into research activities at an earlier point in time than has been the case. Although evidence that these new approaches are increasing the use of purchased inputs remains weak, a number of important lessons are emerging about how research and extension outcomes are influenced by institutional culture and incentives. The authors conclude that developing recommendations for small, affordable input doses and training farmers so they can adapt recommendations to their particular circumstances is as much an institutional challenge as a technology challenge.     

Promoting Energy Efficiency in an Emerging Market: Insights and Intervention Strategies

Promoting energy efficiency and conservation is an urgent imperative in responding to the need to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, particularly in emerging markets. This article provides insights into factors that may enhance or impede the purchase of energy-efficient household appliances in Vietnam. It also suggests intervention strategies to enhance the motivators and mitigate the barriers associated with energy-efficient appliance purchases. Data were collected from shoppers in popular electronics and appliance stores. The findings reveal that consumer purchasing behaviors are motivated by long-term savings, environmental protection, social influence, green self-identity and innovative technologies. Major barriers include lack of information, low level of credibility of energy rating labels, high prices, time consumption and limited product range.

This article is of interest to policy-makers, social-environmental organizations, manufacturers and retailers in the development of more effective strategies for promoting energy efficiency and conservation. It extends current knowledge about environmentally responsible behavior in emerging markets such as Vietnam.     

Managerial technologies and power relations: a study of the Australian waterfront

In recent times, the modern port has been characterised by rapid changes in work technologies and the consolidation of logistics functions. These changes signify an important recomposition of the port labour process and raise questions about the strategic location of frontline manual jobs. This research examines how these changes have played out in the Australian ports industry, developing the argument that a depersonalised managerial form of control is emerging with potentially challenging consequences for worker solidarity and collective organisation. The argument is that relations between port management and workers have changed significantly, with a reconfiguration of job roles, skill compositions and thus workplace power relations. It is informed by qualitative research at two Australian ports, exploring the organisation of work and the impact of recent technologies.     

用户感知评估体系的设计与实现

传统的网络性能评估手段无法做到对于用户感知的准确评估,需要采用新的手段,准确地评估手机用户对于网络质量的感知情况,在此基础上进行综合分析,为市场营销提供支撑。"用户感知评估体系"软件是基于GSM网络中A接口信令采集数据,以信令关联技术和数据挖掘的分析方法为基础,设计并实现提升用户感知性能的评估软件。通过用户感知评估体系的设计与实现,从全新的视角分析手机用户和移动市场,从而为移动市场营销及业务推广提供全面支撑,以及针对重点客户群进行感知网络性能的网络优化。     

基于GPO的医疗供应链体系的优化研究

在医疗领域,集团采购组织(Group Purchasing Organization,GPO)以较低的采购成本和优质的服务逐渐受到人们的关注,借鉴国外基于GPO的医药供应体系的经验来优化我国的医药采购模式具有重要的现实意义和价值。这篇文章基于对GPO理论的综述和现行医疗供应链体系的分析,认为可以借鉴国外的GPO采购模式优化我国的医药供应链体系,通过构建GPO采购模型,得出GPO能够达成供求双方利润分配的平衡和医疗供应链的优化的结论。     

NPD as a sustainable work process in a dynamic business environment

New technologies are having a widespread impact on new product development (NPD)projects. In the telecommunication industry, companies are forced to integrate 'old' and 'new' ways of working with the utilization of unknown technologies. There is an emerging need to develop sustainable work systems. This paper investigates the complex relationship between NPD and the sustainability of the work systems in which it is organized. A proposed framework for analysis is followed by an examination of a specific NPD project at Ericsson.     

微纳米压印技术及应用

随着社会的发展,印刷技术的应用范围不断扩大,新型印刷技术不断涌现。本文重点讨论微电子工业高速发展衍生出的微纳米压印技术,强调微纳米压印可能在微电子器件制造、有机太阳能电池及高精度传感器制造等方面的应用。对微纳米压印技术的未来技术进展和发展方向进行预测,指出微纳米压印技术存在的问题和研究方向。     

Analysing disruptive potential: the case of wireless local area network and mobile communications network companies

In this article, we analyse the prediction that wireless local area network (W-LAN) technologies will be disruptive for incumbent mobile communications network operators. For this purpose, we develop a methodology of guided interviews to assess technologies for their disruptive characteristics based on theory of disruptive technology developed by Christensen (1997) and recent extensions. The application of our comprehensive step-by-step method improves the precision of the disruptive technology concept and its usability for practitioners to make ex ante distinctions between disruptive technologies and other phenomena caused by emerging technologies. Our method predicts that contrary to common assumptions, W-LAN is not likely to represent a disruptive technology for the established mobile communications network firms in terms of Christensen's concept. This research was conducted in close collaboration with Vodafone Pilotentwicklung, an R&D and technology monitoring unit of the Vodafone Group. Vodafone provided part of the empirical data through expert interviews and market reports.     

Value chain innovations for technology transfer in developing and emerging economies: Conceptual issues,typology, and policy implications

The adoption of modern technologies in agriculture is crucial for improving productivity of poor farmers and poverty reduction. However, the adoption of modern technology has been disappointing. The role of value chains in technology adoption has been largely ignored so far, despite the dramatic transformation and spread of modern agri-food value chains. We argue that value chain organization and innovations can have an important impact on modern technology adoption, not just by downstream companies, but also by farmers. We discuss conceptual issues and provide an empirical typology of institutional innovations through which value chains can contribute to technology transfer to agriculture in developing and emerging countries.     

The development of entrepreneurship in China

In this paper, we provide an overview of the extant research on the development of entrepreneurship in China. This research focus is a relatively recent phenomenon since China’s market transition started from late 1978. We review the literature over the 26 years from 1980 through 2005, as published in 11 leading English-language academic journals. We identify 68 articles from this review and analyze them based on the research subjects, methods, and firm types. From this review, and integrating with research on market transitions, we propose a three-stage model of market transitions that has important implications for entrepreneurship research in transition economies.

The significance of network resources in the race to enter emerging product markets: the convergence of telephony communications and computer networking, 1989–2001

This paper focuses on the role of network resources and examines the associated mechanisms that affect the timing of entry into an emerging product market. Linking network theory to market entry research, I analyze the pattern in the structure, relation, and composition of 517 firms' strategic alliances as the firms face the decision of whether and when to enter the networking switches market over a 13‐year period from 1989 to 2001. The context for empirical testing is the voice/data convergence between telephony communications and computer networking technologies during which the industry boundary blurs. Firms that have access to information of high quality, large quantity, and compositional heterogeneity are likely to enter the newly developed market more quickly. However, network configuration lock‐in and network costs may counterbalance the benefits derived from network resources. I discuss the implications of these findings for research on social networks and the timing of market entry. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.