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Technology cross-fertilization and the business model: The case of integrating ICTs in mechanical engineering products

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  • Björkdahl, Joakim

Abstract

This paper investigates the increasing interdependency among different bodies of knowledge in products, from the technology opportunities arising from 'cross-fertilizing', and how firms try to appropriate economic value from their technical potential. The study is based on three multi-national corporations, and their integration of information and communication technologies into established mechanical engineering products. The case studies show how technology cross-fertilization needs to be accompanied by business model changes in order to achieve increased economic value. While much attention has been given to the input dimension of multi-technology products, the economic and commercial domains have been rather ignored in previous literature. This work contributes to the management literature by linking the input resources with the market output for creating and appropriating value from technology cross-fertilization.

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  • Björkdahl, Joakim, 2009. "Technology cross-fertilization and the business model: The case of integrating ICTs in mechanical engineering products," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 38(9), pages 1468-1477, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:respol:v:38:y:2009:i:9:p:1468-1477
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    2. Yuan, Chun & Xue, Doudou & He, Xin, 2021. "A balancing strategy for ambidextrous learning, dynamic capabilities, and business model design, the opposite moderating effects of environmental dynamism," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 103(C).
    3. Guo, Jie & Nikou, Shahrokh & Bouwman, Harry, 2013. "Analyzing the business model for mobile payment from banks' perspective: An empirical study," 24th European Regional ITS Conference, Florence 2013 88483, International Telecommunications Society (ITS).

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