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- Title
DOOMSDAYS AND NEW DAWNS: TECHNOLOGICAL DISCONTINUITIES AND COMPETENCE ECOSYSTEMS.
- Authors
MCKINLEY, WILLIAM
- Abstract
This paper explores the effects of technological discontinuities on the competences of incumbent firms. In contrast to previous literature, I argue that a given technological discontinuity can be both competence-destroying and competence-enhancing. I advance this argument by developing the concept of a competence ecosystem: the total collection of competences that supports the operation of a particular incumbent technology.Atechnological discontinuity can destroy competences in some areas of this ecosystem, while simultaneously enhancing competences in others. Therefore, "doomsdays" for some incumbent firms in the ecosystem are coupled with "new dawns" for others. I illustrate this varied pattern of competence destruction and enhancement with a detailed discussion of three contemporary technological discontinuities: video streaming, electric vehicles, and the advent ofmessenger RNA technology for vaccines. I draw implications for future research from these cases, emphasizing the positive feedback loop connecting technological discontinuities and the competence-destruction and enhancement patterns that they generate. I also derive implications for management practice and business education, with the dual goals of improving managers' predictions about the impact of technological discontinuities, and enhancing students' understanding of the nuances of technological innovation.
- Subjects
ECOSYSTEMS; BUSINESS education; STREAMING video &; television; TECHNOLOGICAL innovations; ELECTRIC vehicles
- Publication
Academy of Management Perspectives, 2022, Vol 36, Issue 2, p729
- ISSN
1558-9080
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.5465/amp.2019.0027