Title: Technological paradigms and trajectories as determinants of the R&D corporate change in drug discovery industry

Authors: Mario Coccia

Addresses: National Research Council of Italy, CNR, via Real Collegio, n. 30, 10024 Moncalieri (Torino), Italy; Arizona State University, School of Public Affairs, Center for Organization Research and Design, 411 N. Central Ave. (STE 480D), Phoenix, AZ 85004-0687, USA

Abstract: The present inductive study shows two main effects of new technological paradigms in medicine driven by convergent genomics, genetics and proteomics (e.g., targeted therapies): 1) division of scientific/technological labour by strategic alliances among firms to reinforce the integrative capabilities in different biomedical research fields in order to support drug discovery process; 2) cumulative and collective learning by network R&D organisations to integrate in-house R&D and external sources of innovation in order to accelerate the discovery of path-breaking drugs for personalised healthcare. Relationships between observed facts are analysed to establish some general implications concerning the impact of technological paradigms on R&D corporate change for supporting the modern discovery process.

Keywords: technological paradigms; divison of labour; learning process; corporate change; partnerships; R&D management; research and development; strategic alliances; drug discovery; organisational change; genomics; genetics; proteomics; integration; biomedical research; innovation; personalised healthcare.

DOI: 10.1504/IJKL.2015.071052

International Journal of Knowledge and Learning, 2015 Vol.10 No.1, pp.29 - 43

Received: 12 Sep 2014
Accepted: 15 Apr 2015
Published online: 09 Aug 2015 *

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