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Specializing in general purpose technologies as a firm long-term strategy

Author

Listed:
  • Raffaele Conti
  • Alfonso Gambardella
  • Elena Novelli

Abstract

An important legacy of Nathan Rosenberg’s work is the notion of general purpose technologies (GPTs). This paper studies whether and when firms specialize in developing GPTs and trading them in intermediate markets, a strategy we call “specialization in generality.” In particular, we address whether and under what contingencies this is a long-term strategy adopted by firms as they age—against the “common wisdom” that aging firms specialize in downstream product markets.

Suggested Citation

  • Raffaele Conti & Alfonso Gambardella & Elena Novelli, 2019. "Specializing in general purpose technologies as a firm long-term strategy," Industrial and Corporate Change, Oxford University Press and the Associazione ICC, vol. 28(2), pages 351-364.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:indcch:v:28:y:2019:i:2:p:351-364.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/icc/dty069
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Paolo E. Giordani & Francesco Rullani, 2020. "The Digital Revolution and COVID-19," Working Papers 06, Department of Management, Università Ca' Foscari Venezia.
    2. Raffaele Conti & Alfonso Gambardella & Elena Novelli, 2019. "Specializing in Generality: Firm Strategies When Intermediate Markets Work," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 30(1), pages 126-150, February.
    3. Choi, Jin-Uk & Lee, Chang-Yang, 2022. "The differential effects of basic research on firm R&D productivity: The conditioning role of technological diversification," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 118(C).
    4. Joshua S. Gans & Michael Kearney & Erin L. Scott & Scott Stern, 2021. "Choosing Technology: An Entrepreneurial Strategy Approach," Strategy Science, INFORMS, vol. 6(1), pages 39-53, March.
    5. Conti, Raffaele & Novelli, Elena, 2022. "Not all technologies are created equal for stakeholders: Constituency statutes, firm stakeholder orientation and investments in technology generality," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 51(3).
    6. Ávila-Robinson, Alfonso & Islam, Nazrul & Sengoku, Shintaro, 2022. "Exploring the knowledge base of innovation research: Towards an emerging innovation model," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 182(C).
    7. Elona Marku & Manuel Castriotta & Michela Loi & Maria Chiara Di Guardo, 2021. "General Purpose Technology: The Blockchain Domain," International Journal of Business and Management, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 15(11), pages 192-192, July.
    8. Goldfarb, Avi & Taska, Bledi & Teodoridis, Florenta, 2023. "Could machine learning be a general purpose technology? A comparison of emerging technologies using data from online job postings," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 52(1).
    9. Bojovic, Neva, 2022. "Strategic framing of enabling technologies: Insights from firms digitizing smell and taste," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 51(3).

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • M10 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - General
    • O32 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Management of Technological Innovation and R&D

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