Title: Staying the distance – technological development and competition

Authors: L. Georghiou, M. Gibbons, J.S. Metcalfe

Addresses: Programme of Policy Research in Engineering, Science and Technology (PREST), University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK. ' Programme of Policy Research in Engineering, Science and Technology (PREST), University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK. ' Programme of Policy Research in Engineering, Science and Technology (PREST), University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK

Abstract: The performance of innovating firms after they have successfully brought a product to the market is examined. It is argued that products are rarely fully developed at this stage but mark the first step in a sequence of post-innovation improvements which occur during a process of interaction with users. Competition takes place between firms seeking to exploit the original trajectory or a competing solution. Competitive success lies in the ability to remain in the ||corridor|| of user requirements. The conceptual framework is used to analyse the results of 35 case studies of UK firms which won an award for innovation during the late 1960s. The origins of post-innovation improvements are explored and evidence of technological competition is analysed. Conclusions are drawn on requirements for sustained performance by a firm.

Keywords: post-innovation improvement; UK; United Kingdom; technological competition; innovation; technological development; new products; design configuration; dynamic competition; market performance; technological trajectory; technological corridor; competition analysis.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.1986.026121

International Journal of Technology Management, 1986 Vol.1 No.3/4, pp.425 - 438

Published online: 27 May 2009 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article