Title: Understanding and breaking innovation lock-in effects

Authors: Markus Spiegel; Christian Marxt

Addresses: University of Liechtenstein, Institute for Entrepreneurship, Fürst-Franz-Josef-Strasse, 9490, Vaduz, Liechtenstein ' University of Liechtenstein, Institute for Entrepreneurship, Fürst-Franz-Josef-Strasse, 9490, Vaduz, Liechtenstein

Abstract: The ability to innovate is a critical success factor for all technology-based firms, as they want to exploit arising opportunities. Unfortunately there are several phenomena, including lock-in effects, which can compromise a firm's innovation capacity. However, the underlying factors as well as the dynamics leading to the perceived and de facto limitations of innovation capacity are currently not well enough understood. In this paper we aim to contribute to the understanding of the phenomenon by giving an overview of several factors which influence path-dependent processes. In addition, the dynamics of and how to break through a potential lock-in effect are explored from a theoretical point of view using a complex adaptive systems perspective. How often such a lock-in situation occurs and which factors are seen as most impactful are examined with a mixed-methods approach.

Keywords: lock-in effects; innovation capacity; path dependence; path creation; complex adaptive systems; CASs; entrepreneurial venturing; entrepreneurship.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEV.2015.071484

International Journal of Entrepreneurial Venturing, 2015 Vol.7 No.3, pp.266 - 285

Received: 16 Dec 2013
Accepted: 22 Jul 2014
Published online: 30 Aug 2015 *

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