Title: Technological assets accumulation and organisational structure in Spanish telecommunications equipment manufacturing companies: a case study

Authors: Mariano Nieto, Waldo Perez

Addresses: Universidad de Leon, Dep. de Direccion y Economia de la Empresa, Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y Empresariales, Campus de Vegazana, 24071 Leon, Spain. ' Universidad Politecnica de Madrid, Dep. de Ingenieria de Organizacion, EUIT de Telecomunicacion, Ctra. Valencia, Km.7, 28031 Madrid, Spain

Abstract: The aim of this paper is to analyse the relationship between organisational structure and the accumulation of technological assets in Spanish telecommunications equipment manufacturing companies. In order to do this, the methods of asset acquisition have been analysed and a model presented which enables us to evaluate: the availability of technological assets (asset endowment), and the degree to which they are utilised by the organisation (asset leverage). Following this, the effect of the parameters that define the organisational structure on the endowment and leverage of assets within the R&D departments has been studied. Five companies in this sector were analysed over the period 1996-2000.

Keywords: innovation; R&D; organisational structure; Spain; technological assets accumulation; asset endowment; asset leverage; telecommunications equipment manufacturers; case studies.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.2004.003880

International Journal of Technology Management, 2004 Vol.27 No.1, pp.40 - 56

Published online: 10 May 2004 *

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