Specialize? Or diversify? Or do Both? - Niche Width Strategies in Emerging, Technology Based Industries

Mattson, Juha T. and Järvinen, Joonas M. J. (2008) Specialize? Or diversify? Or do Both? - Niche Width Strategies in Emerging, Technology Based Industries. In: Scancor 20th Anniversary Conference, 21-23 Nov 2008, Palo Alto, . (Unpublished)

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Abstract

This paper contributes strategy and ecology research by conceptually elaborating how generalist vs. specialist strategy affects firm survival in emerging, technology based industries that operate below carrying capacity. A fundamental notion is that firms may adopt generalist/specialist strategies independently in two key dimensions of the underlying environmental niche: (i) output markets and (ii) technology. It is hypothesized that firms that holding a broad technological scope (i.e. technological generalists) have better chances of survival. At the same time, firms holding a narrow market scope (i.e. market specialists) will survive better. Two empirical tests on data from the modern biotechnology industry in Finland between 1973-2006 provide full support to the hypotheses.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Additional Information:	This paper is work-in-progress. Please contact the authors before quoting.
Subjects:	L Industrial Organization > L6 Industry Studies; Manufacturing > L65 Chemicals, Rubber, Drugs, Biotechnology L Industrial Organization > L2 Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior M Business Administration and Business Economics, Marketing, Accounting > M1 Business Administration N Economic History > N6 Manufacturing and Construction > N64 Europe; 1913–
ID Code:	41
Deposited By:	Olli Turunen
Deposited On:	27 Feb 2009 17:45
Last Modified:	25 Oct 2009 16:27

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