Diversification and hybridisation in firm knowledge bases in nanotechnologies
The paper investigates the linkages between characteristics of technologies and a firm’s knowledge base. Nanotechnologies have been defined as converging technologies that operate as nanoscale, and which require integration to fulfil their economic promises. The paper analyses the degree of convergence and the convergence mechanisms within a firm’s knowledge base. If convergence predominates as it has been claimed, nanotechnologies are not competence destroyers and the development is based on the exetension of the knowledge base of existing firms. Based on a worldwide database of nanofirms, the paper examines the influence of the characteristics of the technologies on the structure of the firm knowledge base. It argues that nano S&T patterns of development combine competence destroying activities and a critical role of research facilities and technological platforms. While the competence destroying characteristics of nanotechnologies give a premium to emerging companies, the role of research and production facilities stenghthens large incumbent competitive position and geographically polarises the emergence of small dedicated nanofimrs.
If you experience problems downloading a file, check if you have the proper application to view it first. In case of further problems read the IDEAS help page. Note that these files are not on the IDEAS site. Please be patient as the files may be large.
| Length: | |
| Date of creation: | 2006 |
| Handle: | RePEc:gbl:wpaper:200602 |
| Contact details of provider: | Postal: 1241 rue des Résidences, Domaine Universitaire, 38400 Saint Martin d'Hères Phone: (0033) 4 76 82 54 39 Web page: http://www.grenoble.inra.fr/ Email: More information through EDIRC
|
References listed on IDEAS
Please report citation or reference errors to , or , if you are the registered author of the cited work, log in to your RePEc Author Service profile, click on "citations" and make appropriate adjustments.:
- Zhang, Jing & Baden-Fuller, Charles & Mangematin, Vincent, 2007.
"Technological knowledge base, R&D organization structure and alliance formation: Evidence from the biopharmaceutical industry,"
Research Policy,
Elsevier, vol. 36(4), pages 515-528, May.
- Jing Zhang & Charles Baden-Fuller & Vincent Mangematin, 2007. "Technological Knowledge Base, R&D Organization Structure and Alliance Formation: Evidence from the Biopharmaceutical Industry," Grenoble Ecole de Management (Post-Print) hal-00424512, HAL.
- Michael L. Darby & Lynne G. Zucker, 2010. "Grilichesian Breakthroughs: Inventions of Methods of Inventing and Firm Entry in Nanotechnology," NBER Chapters,in: Contributions in Memory of Zvi Griliches, pages 143-164 National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
- Michael R. Darby & Lynne G. Zucker, 2003. "Grilichesian Breakthroughs: Inventions of Methods of Inventing and Firm Entry in Nanotechnology," NBER Working Papers 9825, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
- Porac, Joseph F. & Wade, James B. & Fischer, Harald M. & Brown, Joyce & Kanfer, Alaina & Bowker, Geoffrey, 2004. "Human capital heterogeneity, collaborative relationships, and publication patterns in a multidisciplinary scientific alliance: a comparative case study of two scientific teams," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 33(4), pages 661-678, May. Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)