Abstract
An empirical study into innovation supporting and blocking factors has been conducted of the strategic perceptions of stakeholders within the supply chain of a mature industry sector, based on interview analysis. The data revealed strategic intentions and assumptions that support the emergence of two distinct trajectories of change in the industry based on co-partnership and ad-hoc relationships respectively. A model of the trajectories using current partnership theories of lean supply indicated that the co-partnership trend offers some scope for incremental innovation; the ad-hoc relationship trend offered rather less scope for incremental innovation. Both trends seem to be reducing the scope for development of entrepreneurial networks within which independent design innovators can flourish. The strategic assumptions identified point to an environment that is not supportive of radical innovation. The absence of in-house RandD capabilities may be an important factor in the industry's difficulties in innovating.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 113-125 |
| Number of pages | 12 |
| Journal | Technology Analysis and Strategic Management |
| Volume | 11 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Publication status | Published - 1999 |