The evolution of network positions in emerging and converging technologies
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate how and why staying on the edge of emerging and converging technologies is significant for businesses to create the most vibrant, adaptive and complex behaviors, including a wider range of business relational initiatives (e.g. outsourcing, opportunistic partnership, merger and alliance, acquisition), and a better sense of which initiative to choose.
Design/methodology/approach
This is an inductive, interpretative case study complemented by hands‐on experience with the industry.
Findings
Appreciating why existing proprietary technologies need to be replaced with new robust and open technologies is important. Knowing when and how existing and emerging technologies would converge is even better. Developing an understanding of the likely impact of this convergence on existing network structure and network position is critical.
Originality/value
For practitioners the paper presents a framework for examining business relational initiatives at any given point in time and identifying a positioning path over time to shift the firm's network position. For academics it advances one's understanding on how various business relational initiatives are influenced by network structure and network position at the network level.
Keywords
Citation
Low, B. and Johnston, W.J. (2009), "The evolution of network positions in emerging and converging technologies", Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing, Vol. 24 No. 5/6, pp. 431-438. https://doi.org/10.1108/08858620910966309
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2009, Emerald Group Publishing Limited