Title: Exploratory research on the mechanism of latecomer advantages in the Asian LCD industry

Authors: Hiroyuki Nagano; Shuichi Ishida; Kiminori Gemba

Addresses: Institute of Research Promotion and Collaboration, University of Hyogo, 123 Minamiekimae-cho, Himeji, Hyogo, 670-0962, Japan ' Graduate School of Technology Management, Ritsumeikan University, 2-150 Iwakura-cho, Ibaraki, Osaka, 567-8570, Japan ' Graduate School of Innovation Management, Hosei University, 3-3-9 Kudankita, Chiyoda, Tokyo, 102-0073, Japan

Abstract: This study proposes a new concept, 'production innovation'. In the capital-expenditure-intensive electronic device industry, latecomers from foreign countries often surpass the first mover. This paper explains the factors driving this latecomer advantage from the industry lifecycles. Several studies have adopted the Abernathy-Utterback model to understand industry lifecycles. This research aims to further this discussion through a reappraisal that focuses on innovation types based on the Abernathy-Utterback model, as well as the ideas of Schumpeter and Kirzner. This research observed that production innovation, as it relates to the global supply chain, emerges through product and process innovation and revealed that latecomers are always alert to opportunities to realise this type of innovation. We defined this production innovation as the process by which latecomers seize opportunities offered by newly standardised manufacturing processes to establish new customer markets, create large-scale, highly efficient plants, and reduce costs of materials and facilities.

Keywords: first mover; latecomer; latecomer advantage; electronic device; liquid crystal display; LCD; industry lifecycle; innovation; product innovation; Abernathy-Utterback model; process innovation; global supply chain.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.2017.085696

International Journal of Technology Management, 2017 Vol.75 No.1/2/3/4, pp.208 - 233

Accepted: 16 Mar 2016
Published online: 08 Aug 2017 *

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