Entrepreneurship in the large corporation: a longitudinal study of how established firms create breakthrough inventions

Gautam Ahuja; Curba Morris Lampert

doi:10.1002/smj.176

journal article Jun 01, 2001

Entrepreneurship in the large corporation: a longitudinal study of how established firms create breakthrough inventions

Gautam Ahuja Curba Morris Lampert

Strategic Management Journal Vol. 22 No. 6-7 pp. 521-543 · Wiley

View at Publisher Save 10.1002/smj.176

Abstract

Abstract

We present a model that explains how established firms create breakthrough inventions. We identify three organizational pathologies that inhibit breakthrough inventions: the
familiarity trap
– favoring the familiar; the
maturity trap
– favoring the mature; and the
propinquity trap
– favoring search for solutions near to existing solutions. We argue that by experimenting with
novel
(i.e., technologies in which the
firm
lacks prior experience),
emerging
(technologies that are recent or newly developed in the
industry
), and
pioneering
(technologies that do not build on any existing technologies) technologies firms can overcome these traps and create breakthrough inventions. Empirical evidence from the chemicals industry supports our model. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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Metrics

1,755

Citations

93

References

Details

Published: Jun 01, 2001
Vol/Issue: 22(6-7)
Pages: 521-543
License: View

Authors

G

Gautam Ahuja

Ross School of Business, University of Michigan

C

Curba Morris Lampert

Moore School of Business, University of South Carolina

Cite This Article

Gautam Ahuja, Curba Morris Lampert (2001). Entrepreneurship in the large corporation: a longitudinal study of how established firms create breakthrough inventions. Strategic Management Journal, 22(6-7), 521-543. https://doi.org/10.1002/smj.176

Entrepreneurship in the large corporation: a longitudinal study of how established firms create breakthrough inventions

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