Title: Strategic transformation through innovation in emerging industry: a case study

Authors: Xuefeng Liu; Jin Chen; Yuying Xie; Dan Wu

Addresses: School of Management, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China ' School of Economics and Management, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China ' Department of Economics and Finance, Shepherd University, Shepherdstown, WV, USA ' School of Management, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China

Abstract: Firms in traditional industries need to sustain their competitive advantage through strategic transformation in today's highly dynamic environment. From a case study of a Chinese manufacturing firm, we show evidence that traditional firms can utilise the analytical tool of technology mapping to capture new innovation opportunities in emerging industries. In contrast to prior studies that mainly explore how firms learn and accumulate knowledge and capabilities in different growth stages within their respective industry, this study suggests that accumulated technological competency not only can propel a firm to move up on the current value chain but can also help it leap to an emerging market to capture new opportunities. These findings imply important policy applications and point out new research directions.

Keywords: strategic transformation; emerging industries; technology roadmapping; core capabilities; core rigidity; innovation; case study; China; manufacturing industry; technological competency.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.2016.080541

International Journal of Technology Management, 2016 Vol.72 No.1/2/3, pp.192 - 209

Received: 04 Jul 2015
Accepted: 31 Jan 2016
Published online: 29 Nov 2016 *

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