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The Changing Technological Profile of the Leading ICT Firms: Evidence from US Patent Data, 1981-2000

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  • P. M. Rao
  • Vijaya Vemuri
  • Peter Galvin

Abstract

Drawing upon the patent data for 63 of the largest firms in the information and communication technology (ICT) sector for the period 1981-2000, this paper investigates how the technological profile of these firms has altered in relation to technological advantage, technological diversity and path dependency. Using a previously established measure of revealed technological advantage, the firms in the sample almost universally exhibited a decline over time in this measure. While this result is contrary to other multi-industry research, it may be unique to the ICT industry as many non-ICT oriented firms patent in the area as ICT technology underpins developments in more and more industries. In relation to technological diversity, there were high levels of intra-sector diversification, but little diversity beyond the ICT sector, supporting the notion that the emergence of technology markets will support specialization. In addition, strong evidence of path dependency was found indicating that firms adopt long-term strategies for developing their technology portfolios. Given the rapid growth of technology markets, these findings have considerable implications as to the nature and operation of these markets.

Suggested Citation

  • P. M. Rao & Vijaya Vemuri & Peter Galvin, 2004. "The Changing Technological Profile of the Leading ICT Firms: Evidence from US Patent Data, 1981-2000," Industry and Innovation, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 11(4), pages 353-372.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:indinn:v:11:y:2004:i:4:p:353-372
    DOI: 10.1080/1366271042000289351
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    Cited by:

    1. Akçomak S. & Akdeve E. & Fındık D., 2013. "How do ICT firms in Turkey manage innovation? : diversity in expertise versus diversity in markets," MERIT Working Papers 2013-024, United Nations University - Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (MERIT).
    2. Klaus Marhold & Jina Kang, 2017. "The effects of internal technological diversity and external uncertainty on technological alliance portfolio diversity," Industry and Innovation, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 24(2), pages 122-142, February.
    3. Lee, Hyunmin, 2023. "Converging technology to improve firm innovation competencies and business performance: Evidence from smart manufacturing technologies," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 123(C).
    4. Sandro Mendonca, 2006. "The Revolution Within: Ict And The Shifting Knowledge Base Of The World'S Largest Companies," Economics of Innovation and New Technology, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 15(8), pages 777-799.
    5. Kang, Taewon & Baek, Chulwoo & Lee, Jeong-Dong, 2019. "Effects of knowledge accumulation strategies through experience and experimentation on firm growth," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 144(C), pages 169-181.
    6. Kolja Hesse, 2020. "Related to whom? The impact of organisational and regional capabilities on radical breakthroughs," Bremen Papers on Economics & Innovation 2005, University of Bremen, Faculty of Business Studies and Economics.
    7. Grazia Cecere & Muge Ozman, 2014. "Innovation, Recombination and Technological Proximity," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 5(3), pages 646-667, September.
    8. Quintana-Garci­a, Cristina & Benavides-Velasco, Carlos A., 2008. "Innovative competence, exploration and exploitation: The influence of technological diversification," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 37(3), pages 492-507, April.
    9. Cristina Quintana-García & Carlos A. Benavides-Velasco & Vanesa F. Guzmán-Parra, 2016. "Science-based Firms Going Public: The Role of Patent Indicators and Top Management Teams," Industry and Innovation, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 23(3), pages 243-259, April.

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