IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/jknowl/v16y2025i3d10.1007_s13132-024-02342-9.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

A Technological Development Roadmap for Latecomer Telecommunications Companies Based on Industry-Specific Elements and Development Strategies

Author

Listed:
  • Sina Tarighi

    (University of Tehran)

  • Nima Garoosi Mokhtarzadeh

    (University of Tehran)

Abstract

The telecommunications industry has been one of the main drivers of technological and economic development in the last two decades. In addition to its direct effects, this sector also generates spillover effects on other service and production sectors, aiding latecomers in their industrialization process and bridging the technology gap with industry leaders. The present research contributes to the existing knowledge in this field by creating a technological development roadmap customized for latecomer telecom companies. As telecommunications is a knowledge-intensive industry, studies on learning and capability accumulation are of critical importance for the development of latecomer countries like Iran. The proposed roadmap comprises essential components including firm-level technological capability elements, learning mechanisms, and technological development strategies, each tailored to the two sectors of the telecom industry: assembly production and technology-intensive activities. Initially, technological capability elements are extracted from the literature using thematic analysis. These elements are then customized to align with the underlying knowledge and technology of the Telecom industry. Subsequently, customized elements are clustered based on their impact on production and innovative capabilities using exploratory factor analysis. Finally, utilizing the SWARA method, elements within each cluster are ranked according to their priority. Synthesizing the findings of previous stages culminates in formulating a development roadmap for the telecom industry. In addition to making theoretical contributions to the relevant literature, the research findings offer crucial practical implications for latecomer telecom companies aiming to initiate technological development and catch up within this sector.

Suggested Citation

  • Sina Tarighi & Nima Garoosi Mokhtarzadeh, 2025. "A Technological Development Roadmap for Latecomer Telecommunications Companies Based on Industry-Specific Elements and Development Strategies," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 16(3), pages 11768-11799, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jknowl:v:16:y:2025:i:3:d:10.1007_s13132-024-02342-9
    DOI: 10.1007/s13132-024-02342-9
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s13132-024-02342-9
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s13132-024-02342-9?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to

    for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Hayashi, Daisuke & Huenteler, Joern & Lewis, Joanna I., 2018. "Gone with the wind: A learning curve analysis of China's wind power industry," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 120(C), pages 38-51.
    2. Lee, Keun & Lim, Chaisung, 2001. "Technological regimes, catching-up and leapfrogging: findings from the Korean industries," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 30(3), pages 459-483, March.
    3. Kim, Linsu, 1980. "Stages of development of industrial technology in a developing country: A model," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 9(3), pages 254-277, July.
    4. Robert J. Gordon, 2000. "Does the "New Economy" Measure Up to the Great Inventions of the Past?," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 14(4), pages 49-74, Fall.
    5. Lee, Joosung J. & Yoon, Hyungseok, 2015. "A comparative study of technological learning and organizational capability development in complex products systems: Distinctive paths of three latecomers in military aircraft industry," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 44(7), pages 1296-1313.
    6. Abeysinghe, Dhammika & Paul, H., 2005. "Privatization and technological capability development in the telecommunications sector: a case study of Sri Lanka Telecom," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 27(4), pages 487-516.
    7. Fitjar, Rune Dahl & Rodríguez-Pose, Andrés, 2013. "Firm collaboration and modes of innovation in Norway," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 42(1), pages 128-138.
    8. Lee, Keun & Malerba, Franco, 2017. "Catch-up cycles and changes in industrial leadership:Windows of opportunity and responses of firms and countries in the evolution of sectoral systems," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 46(2), pages 338-351.
    9. Figueiredo, Paulo N. & Larsen, Henrik & Hansen, Ulrich E., 2020. "The role of interactive learning in innovation capability building in multinational subsidiaries: A micro-level study of biotechnology in Brazil," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 49(6).
    10. Jensen, Morten Berg & Johnson, Bjorn & Lorenz, Edward & Lundvall, Bengt Ake, 2007. "Forms of knowledge and modes of innovation," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 36(5), pages 680-693, June.
    11. Hobday, Michael & Rush, Howard, 2007. "Upgrading the technological capabilities of foreign transnational subsidiaries in developing countries: The case of electronics in Thailand," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 36(9), pages 1335-1356, November.
    12. Dantas, Eva & Bell, Martin, 2011. "The Co-Evolution of Firm-Centered Knowledge Networks and Capabilities in Late Industrializing Countries: The Case of Petrobras in the Offshore Oil Innovation System in Brazil," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 39(9), pages 1570-1591, September.
    13. Zhang, Haoyu & Shi, Yongjiang & Liu, Jianxin & Wu, Xiaobo, 2021. "How do technology strategies affect the catch-up progress of high-tech latecomers? Evidence from two Chinese research-institute-transformed telecommunications firms," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 122(C), pages 805-821.
    14. Prageet Aeron & Rekha Jain, 2015. "A study on technological capability among product-based telecom start-ups in India: role of technological learning and bricolage," International Journal of Technological Learning, Innovation and Development, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 7(4), pages 336-360.
    15. Natalja Apanasovich & Henar Alcalde-Heras & Mario Davide Parrilli, 2017. "A new approach to business innovation modes: the ‘Research, Technology and Human Resource Management (RTH) model’ in the ICT sector in Belarus," European Planning Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 25(11), pages 1976-2000, November.
    16. Rasiah, Rajah, 2003. "Foreign ownership, technology and electronics exports from Malaysia and Thailand," Journal of Asian Economics, Elsevier, vol. 14(5), pages 785-811, October.
    17. Paulo N. Figueiredo & Janaina Piana, 2021. "Technological learning strategies and technology upgrading intensity in the mining industry: evidence from Brazil," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 46(3), pages 629-659, June.
    18. Shin, Jang-Sup, 2017. "Dynamic catch-up strategy, capability expansion and changing windows of opportunity in the memory industry," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 46(2), pages 404-416.
    19. Dahlman, Carl J. & Ross-Larson, Bruce & Westphal, Larry E., 1987. "Managing technological development: Lessons from the newly industrializing countries," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 15(6), pages 759-775, June.
    20. Franco Malerba & Richard Nelson, 2011. "Learning and catching up in different sectoral systems: evidence from six industries," Industrial and Corporate Change, Oxford University Press and the Associazione ICC, vol. 20(6), pages 1645-1675, December.
    21. Xudong Gao & Ping Zhang & Xielin Liu, 2007. "Competing with MNEs: developing manufacturing capabilities or innovation capabilities," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 32(1), pages 87-107, April.
    22. Tarighi, Sina & Shavvalpour, Saeed, 2021. "Technological development of E&P companies in developing countries: An integrative approach to define and prioritize customized elements of technological capability in EOR," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 72(C).
    23. Tieju Ma, 2010. "Coping with Uncertainties in Technological Learning," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 56(1), pages 192-201, January.
    24. Costa, Ionara & de Queiroz, Sergio Robles Reis, 2002. "Foreign direct investment and technological capabilities in Brazilian industry," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 31(8-9), pages 1431-1443, December.
    25. Lei Guo & Marina Yue Zhang & Mark Dodgson & David Gann & Hong Cai, 2019. "Seizing windows of opportunity by using technology-building and market-seeking strategies in tandem: Huawei’s sustained catch-up in the global market," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 36(3), pages 849-879, September.
    26. Soltanzadeh, Javad & Rahmani, Soma & Majidpour, Mehdi, 2024. "Technological catch-up in the Iranian steel industry: Integrating regime-based and complex product systems approaches," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 89(C).
    27. Yan, Xu & Huang, Minyi, 2022. "Leveraging university research within the context of open innovation: The case of Huawei," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 46(2).
    28. Iammarino, Simona & Padilla-Pérez, Ramon & von Tunzelmann, Nick, 2008. "Technological Capabilities and Global-Local Interactions: The Electronics Industry in Two Mexican Regions," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 36(10), pages 1980-2003, October.
    29. Oyebisi, T.O. & Olamade, O.O. & Agboola, A.A., 2004. "An assessment of the level of availability of technological capabilities in the Nigerian telecommunications industry," International Journal of Information Management, Elsevier, vol. 24(5), pages 423-432.
    30. Aeron, Prageet & Jain, Rekha, 2015. "A study of technological capability among product based telecom start-ups in India: Role of knowledge, learning and bricolage," IIMA Working Papers WP2015-04-02, Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, Research and Publication Department.
    31. Michiel Van Dijk & Martin Bell, 2007. "Rapid Growth with Limited Learning: Industrial Policy and Indonesia's Pulp and Paper Industry," Oxford Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 35(2), pages 149-169.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Davy, Elder & Hansen, Ulrich E., 2023. "A firm-level perspective on windows of opportunity," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 75(C).
    2. Minaee, Mohammadreza & Elahi, Shaban & Majidpour, Mehdi & Manteghi, Manoochehr, 2021. "Lessons learned from an unsuccessful “catching-up” in the automobile industry of Iran," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 66(C).
    3. Lu Xu & Jie Xiong & Jie Yan & Richard Soparnot & Zhe Yuan, 2023. "Technological Uncertainty and Catch-Up Patterns: Insights of Four Chinese Manufacturing Sectors," Post-Print hal-04011634, HAL.
    4. Tarighi, Sina & Shavvalpour, Saeed, 2021. "Technological development of E&P companies in developing countries: An integrative approach to define and prioritize customized elements of technological capability in EOR," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 72(C).
    5. Guo, Yanting & Zheng, Gang, 2019. "How do firms upgrade capabilities for systemic catch-up in the open innovation context? A multiple-case study of three leading home appliance companies in China," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 144(C), pages 36-48.
    6. Rikap, Cecilia, 2022. "Becoming an intellectual monopoly by relying on the national innovation system: the State Grid Corporation of China's experience," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 51(4).
    7. Lu Xu & Jie Xiong & Jie Yan & Richard Soparnot & Zhe Yuan, 2023. "Technological Uncertainty and Catch-Up Patterns: Insights of Four Chinese Manufacturing Sectors," Grenoble Ecole de Management (Post-Print) hal-04011634, HAL.
    8. Na Zhang & Chao Sun & Min Xu & Xuemei Wang & Jia Deng, 2023. "Catching Up of Latecomer Economies in ICT for Sustainable Development: An Analysis Based on Technology Life Cycle Using Patent Data," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-29, June.
    9. Figueiredo, Paulo N. & Larsen, Henrik & Hansen, Ulrich E., 2020. "The role of interactive learning in innovation capability building in multinational subsidiaries: A micro-level study of biotechnology in Brazil," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 49(6).
    10. Xiong, Jie & Zhao, Shuyan & Meng, Yan & Xu, Lu & Kim, Seong-Young, 2022. "How latecomers catch up to build an energy-saving industry: The case of the Chinese electric vehicle industry 1995–2018," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 161(C).
    11. Yuzhe Miao & Jaeyong Song & Keun Lee & Chuyue Jin, 2018. "Technological catch-up by east Asian firms: Trends, issues, and future research agenda," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 35(3), pages 639-669, September.
    12. Paulo N. Figueiredo & Janaina Piana, 2021. "Technological learning strategies and technology upgrading intensity in the mining industry: evidence from Brazil," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 46(3), pages 629-659, June.
    13. Li, Daitian & Malerba, Franco, 2024. "Technological change and the evolution of the links across sectoral systems: The case of mobile communications," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 130(C).
    14. Zhongji Yang & Liangqun Qi & Xin Li & Tianxi Wang, 2022. "How Does Successful Catch-Up Occur in Complex Products and Systems from the Innovation Ecosystem Perspective? A Case of China’s High-Speed Railway," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-22, June.
    15. Figueiredo, Paulo N. & Cohen, Marcela, 2019. "Explaining early entry into path-creation technological catch-up in the forestry and pulp industry: Evidence from Brazil," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 48(7), pages 1694-1713.
    16. Cristiano Antonelli & Christophe Feder, 2020. "Total factor productivity, catch-up and technological congruence in Italy, 1861–2010," Journal of Evolutionary Economics, Springer, vol. 30(4), pages 1171-1194, September.
    17. Lei Guo & Marina Yue Zhang & Mark Dodgson & David Gann & Hong Cai, 2019. "Seizing windows of opportunity by using technology-building and market-seeking strategies in tandem: Huawei’s sustained catch-up in the global market," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 36(3), pages 849-879, September.
    18. Fischer, Bruno Brandão & Schaeffer, Paola Rücker & Vonortas, Nicholas S., 2019. "Evolution of university-industry collaboration in Brazil from a technology upgrading perspective," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 145(C), pages 330-340.
    19. Kwak, Kiho & Kim, Namil, 2022. "Industrial Leadership Changes without Technological Discontinuity: Modularization, Institution-Led Market Discontinuity, and Market Development Strategy," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 180(C).
    20. Lee, Keun, 2019. "Economics of Technological Leapfrogging," MPRA Paper 111034, University Library of Munich, Germany.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:spr:jknowl:v:16:y:2025:i:3:d:10.1007_s13132-024-02342-9. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.