Title: Open innovation and patterns of R&D competition

Authors: Kwanghui Lim, Henry Chesbrough, Yi Ruan

Addresses: Melbourne Business School, 200 Leicester Street, Carlton, Victoria 3053, Australia. ' Haas School of Business, Institute of Management, Innovation & Organization, Faculty Wing, F402, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720-1930, USA. ' Department of Business Policy, NUS Business School, National University of Singapore, BIZ 2 Building, 1 Business Link, 117592, Singapore

Abstract: We explore the technological evolution of three microprocessor firms between 1976 and 2004. We trace how two initially small entrants (Intel and AMD) competed against a larger and more established incumbent (IBM). We show that changes in interfirm relationships (as reflected by competitive and cooperative events) affect patenting strategies. Periods of increased competition correspond to greater patenting within patent classes in which the firms compete head-on. Periods of cooperation are surprisingly not always accompanied by increased patenting in complementary upstream and downstream areas. Despite changes in competitive regime, Intel and AMD exhibit a persistent dependence upon IBM for technology. Our study shows that small firms can compete against a large incumbent in the product market while being dependent upon external sources for knowledge. We also suggest ways in which incumbent firms operating in such environments (e.g., IBM) might engage with these entrants through co-opetition and open innovation.

Keywords: open innovation; IBM; Intel; AMD; patents; semiconductor industry; co-opetition; R&D competition; research and development; interfirm relationships; affect patenting strategies; small firms; external knowledge.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.2010.035978

International Journal of Technology Management, 2010 Vol.52 No.3/4, pp.295 - 321

Published online: 06 Apr 2013 *

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