New product development strategies of suppliers of emerging technologies—a case study of expert systems

Abstract

Rapid change, high levels of risk and uncertainty is the context in which suppliers of emerging technologies are developing strategies for new product development. Collaboration with "progressive" customers and the formation of lateral links with suppliers and manufacturers are options available for effective innovation. Approaches to innovation of established and start-up companies operating in the embryonic expert systems market in the UK are discussed and salient features of a nascent product market outlined.

Theoretical lenses and domain definitions in innovation research

“…The following references included in our classifications are indicated by D=diffusion/adoption theory, R=resource based view, O=organization/SBU/program, P=project/product level, C=customer perspective, F=firm perspective, B=both firm and customer perspective. Abetti, 2000; Aiken et al , 1980; Akgun et al , 2006; Alam, 2003; Ali, 1994; Ali et al , 1995; Allocca and Kessler, 2006; Alves et al , 2007; Amaldoss and Rapoport, 2005; Astebro, 2004; Atuahene‐Gima, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2005; Atuahene‐Gima and Ko, 2001; Atuahene‐Gima et al , 2005, 2006; Avlonitis et al , 1994, 2001; Azjen and Fishbein, 1975; Bagozzi and Lee, 1999; Bailey, 1994; Baker and Becker, 1997; Baker and Sinkula, 2005; Baldridge and Burnham, 1975; Banbury and Mitchell, 1995; Barczak and Wilemon, 1991; Bearden et al , 1985; Berthon et al , 2004; Bharadwaj and Menon, 2000; Bhoovaraghavan et al , 1996; Bonner et al , 2002, Boone et al, 2991; Booz‐Allen and Hamilton, 1982; Bradley and Stewart, 2003; Brockhoff and Chakrabarti, 1988; Brockhoff and Pearson, 1992; Brown, 1991; Brown and Eisenhardt, 1997; Bruce, 1988; Calantone and Cooper, 1981; Calantone et al , 1994, 1995, 2002, 2003, 2006; Chandy and Tellis, 1998, 2000; Chiesa et al , 1996; Cho and Pucik, 2005; Cooper, 2000; Cooper and De Brentani, 1991; Cooper and Kleinschmidt, 1995; Costanzo et al , 2003; Covin and Slevin, 1989; Cowell, 1988; Crawford, 1989; Daft, 1978; Daghfous et al , 1999; Damanpour, 1987, 1991, 1996; Danneels and Kleinschmidt, 2001; Darroch and McNaughton, 2003; Davis, 1989; Davis et al , 1989, 2002; Day, 1994; Day and Wensley, 1988; De Brentani, 2001; De Brentani and Kleinschmidt, 2004; Debruyne et al , 2002; Dewar and Dutton, 1986; Dhebar, 1995; Dickerson and Gentry, 1983; …”

Innovation strategies in the enzyme industry

“…In return, customers are able to draw on the experience and knowledge of suppliers. A study of an emerging technology market (Bruce 1988) shows that one of the major problems for suppliers was the identification of applications which clearly offered 'added value'. One major electronics supplier diversifying into the new market held 'brainstorming' sessions and intensive workshops with customers to help discover viable business applications.…”

“…The capability of firms to harness the knowledge and experience within the network is a major deciding factor in bringing about successful innovation. The differential access of suppliers to utilise the skills and knowledge within the network is recognised in a study of innovation in a newly emerging technology market (Bruce 1988). Here, start-up firms did not have the same opportunities as established firms for collaboration with 'lead users'.…”

Buyer-supplier relationships in startups : An analysis of factors that drive startup attractiveness to suppliers

“…Studies on entrepreneurship have explored supplier involvement in innovation processes and new product development (NPD). Some focus on the startup as the buyer (Song et al, 2011;Song et al, 2019;Song and Di Benedetto, 2008), while others focus on the startup as the supplier (Bruce, 1988;Homfeldt et al, 2019). Regardless of role, innovation is central.…”

“…When startups are the suppliers, they can help their customers to develop new products (Bruce, 1988;Homfeldt et al, 2019) and take responsibility for initiating the innovation (Bruce, 1988). Startups do not have an existing customer base and, as the manufacturer, they have to initiate the innovation, taking responsibility for designing the product concept and then looking for customers (Bruce, 1988). Homfeldt et al (2019) compared the innovation potential of ideas from startups and existing suppliers of AUDI AG.…”