Title:
Innovation capabilities accumulation using a lifecycle approach: The case of a Mexican steel company
Innovation capabilities accumulation using a lifecycle approach: The case of a Mexican steel company
Author(s)
Atoche-Kong, Carlos
Dutrénit, Gabriela
Dutrénit, Gabriela
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Abstract
How are innovation capabilities created in a firm in an emerging economy, why
does such a firm decide to start to innovate? These are two of the challenging questions
that direct this study. A Mexican steel company, called "Steel Company", is the subject
of study. This company started to operate with obsolete equipment, and thanks to a strong
management commitment to innovation, it could develop its own processing technology
becoming the world technological leader in its market. This study uses a single case study
research design in order to start the academic discussion regarding both questions.
Capabilities life-cycles are identified, with a cluster of strategic capabilities
evolving in a synergetic way, accumulating and diminishing innovation capabilities along
the firm history. Strong context effects, shareholder and management support, and
corporate strategy changes are among key factors that conducted this evolutionary
process.
The need to consider spin outs from the firm when studying the dynamics of
capabilities is identified as an interesting future research for regional development
purposes, as innovation capabilities can be transferred crossing the boundaries of the firm.
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Date Issued
2008-09
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Text
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Proceedings