Breaking New Paths: Theory and Method in Path Dependence Research

Dobusch, Leonhard; Kapeller, Jakob

doi:10.1007/bf03396859

Cited by 41 publications

(42 citation statements)

References 46 publications

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“…As indicated above, self-reinforcing mechanisms can be defined as a set of forces or processes that reproduce a particular pattern of events, choices or activities over time (Araujo and Harrison 2002, Page 2006, Mahoney 2000 and explain the development from a set of initial 1 Lock-in can, in turn, be categorized as 2 nd degree path dependency (lock-in to regrettable, but not inefficient, options) or 3 rd degree path dependency (lock-in to inefficient options, which could have been avoided) (Liebowitz and Margolis 1995). conditions to a specific outcome (Dobusch and Kapeller 2013), for example increasing stability and lock-in (Dobusch and Schüßler 2012). When self-reinforcing mechanisms are in place, each step taken in a certain direction makes it more probable that further steps will be taken in the same direction (Pierson 2000), i.e.…”

Section: Self-reinforcing Mechanisms: Technology Adoption Vs Technolmentioning

confidence: 99%

Self-reinforcing Mechanisms in a Multi-technology Industry: Understanding Sustained Technological Variety in a Context of Path Dependency

Onufrey

Bergek

2015

Industry and Innovation

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This paper studies self-reinforcing mechanisms in multi-technology industries, i.e. industries in which technological lock-in does not occur and several technologies continue to co-exist.The purpose of this paper is to investigate what kind of self-reinforcing mechanisms can be present in such industries and explain how multiple paths can co-exist and interact in a context of self-reinforcement and, ultimately, path dependency. Building on the empirical example of the lighting industry, the paper shows that all previously recognized types of selfreinforcing mechanisms can be present in a multi-technology industry. However, in addition to the path-internal positive feedbacks and cross-path negative externalities identified in single-path settings, multi-technology industries also experience positive cross-path externalities that create a symbiotic relationship between alternatives and allow for the reproduction of the same development pattern across technologies. Due to the existence of such non-negative technology interactions, multi-technology industries can be path dependent while still retaining technological variety.

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Section: Self-reinforcing Mechanisms: Technology Adoption Vs Technolmentioning

confidence: 99%

Self-reinforcing Mechanisms in a Multi-technology Industry: Understanding Sustained Technological Variety in a Context of Path Dependency

Onufrey

Bergek

2015

Industry and Innovation

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“…In line with debates on further conceptual advancements of path dependence in managerial contexts, recent contributions to the management literature have disseminated a more comprehensive understanding of the concept (Garud et al 2010;Sydow et al 2009;Vergne and Durand 2010). Based on these works, management scholars have come to understand path dependence predominantly as a process that explains the reduction of managerial scope over time (Dobusch and Kapeller 2013). Path dependence provides powerful answers to both how and why strategic patterns-the selected combination of organizational routines and resources-are reproduced (Koch 2008(Koch , 2011Vergne and Durand 2011).…”

Section: Path Dependence and Strategic Premisesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Path dependence provides powerful answers to both how and why strategic patterns-the selected combination of organizational routines and resources-are reproduced (Koch 2008(Koch , 2011Vergne and Durand 2011). Although certain conceptual details remain subject to further debate, Dobusch and Kapeller (2013) identified a theoretical consolidation of path Fig. 1 The constitution of a path (Sydow et al 2009: 692) dependence based on a common understanding that analytically distinguishes between three phases: contingency, self-reinforcement, and lock-in (see also Fig.…”

Section: Path Dependence and Strategic Premisesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Prior literature predominantly suggests that path-dependent organizations update their strategic premises at the latest when they are struck by crises, i.e., environmental changes that render path reproduction inefficient and threaten organizational survival (e.g., Dobusch and Kapeller 2013;Pearson and Clair 1998;Tushman and Anderson 1986). The negative feedback that organizational crises generate is deemed sufficient to challenge the status quo and begin a process of reflection on, and revision of, strategic premises (Schreyögg and Kliesch-Eberl 2007).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Path Dependence and the Stabilization of Strategic Premises: How the Funeral Industry Buries Itself

Wenzel

2014

AMPROC

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“…to what extent a step made in a specific direction would make further steps in this direction more probable (Pierson 2000). This kind of detailed and dynamic perspective on industry development patterns allows the explanation of how initial conditions together with later steps along the path lead to a specific development outcome (Dobusch and Kapeller 2013) The literature on self-reinforcing mechanisms has also come up with a typology of possible industry endogenous mechanisms that can drive forward the development of an industry. All types of mechanisms can affect both technology adopters (users, buyers) and technology developers (manufacturers).…”

Section: Industry Endogenous Innovation Mechanisms4mentioning

confidence: 99%

Enabled by the past: understanding endogenous innovation in mature industries

Onufrey¹

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Mature industries have played and still play a crucial role in national and world economies. To survive and retain competitiveness, they need to innovate, as innovation is the driver of economics growth and industrial transformation. However, existing research does not provide sufficient explanation of how innovation in mature industries can be enabled based on resources and internal development logic of those industries, i.e. endogenously. Some previous studies focused on incremental innovation patterns, which led to an underestimation of innovation potential of mature industries. Other studies acknowledged a high innovation potential of mature industries, but failed to explain how, through what mechanisms, industry-endogenous logic can bring about major innovations.Therefore, the purpose of this thesis is to systematically address, explain and conceptualize industry-endogenous innovation and its driving mechanisms in mature industries. To achieve this purpose, three main issues are addressed. First, the thesis investigates and conceptualizes the notion of industry endogenous innovation mechanisms based on the path dependency theory. Second, the thesis addresses strategic choices and actions by established companies that are rooted in the industry endogenous mechanisms and result in highly innovative outcomes. Third, the thesis systematically analyses different aspects of radicalness of innovations resulting from industry endogenous mechanisms.The thesis represents a qualitative, embedded case study with two main industry cases, i.e. the global lighting industry and the Swedish pulp and paper industry. The lighting industry and its subcases in the form of specific lighting technologies have been studied via the analysis of patents of leading lighting manufacturers, archival and secondary data sources as well as interviews with different types of actors in the industry. The pulp and paper industry and its sub-cases in the form of innovation initiatives have been studied with the help of interviews with leading manufacturers and research institutes, as well the analysis of annual reports and secondary data sources. The outcomes of the study are presented in the form of the thesis cover paper and five appended papers.The results show that innovations of any magnitude can be endogenously developed in mature industries. At the industry level, endogenous innovation is driven by innovation mechanisms that can be conceptualized as reactive sequences and self-reinforcing mechanisms. At the level of individual companies, the exploitation strategy corresponds to the logic of endogenous innovation mechanisms by enabling highly innovative outcomes and building on a wide range of resources available in the industry. The endogenous character of innovation mechanisms imposes certain limitations on the radicalness of the outcomes in the form of trade-offs in terms of how many and what particular aspects can be radically new at once.With these results, the thesis contributes to a more balanced overall understanding of in...

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Breaking New Paths: Theory and Method in Path Dependence Research

Cited by 41 publications

References 46 publications

Self-reinforcing Mechanisms in a Multi-technology Industry: Understanding Sustained Technological Variety in a Context of Path Dependency

Self-reinforcing Mechanisms in a Multi-technology Industry: Understanding Sustained Technological Variety in a Context of Path Dependency

Path Dependence and the Stabilization of Strategic Premises: How the Funeral Industry Buries Itself

Enabled by the past: understanding endogenous innovation in mature industries

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