A case study of knowledge protection and diffusion for innovation: managing knowledge in the mobile telephone industry

Galvin, Peter and Rice, John (2008) A case study of knowledge protection and diffusion for innovation: managing knowledge in the mobile telephone industry. International Journal of Technology Management, 42 (4). pp. 426-438. ISSN 0267-5730

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Abstract

The standardisation of interfaces in product architectures helps complementary products develop when network externalities are present. However, standardisation may also weaken a technology developer's competitive position when the product knowledge embedded in standardised interfaces becomes accessible, thereby reducing the barriers to entry. Hence, there is a need to simultaneously protect the knowledge that underpins a firm's competitiveness, but also to define the standards that are open to encourage the development of complementary products. In this paper, we analyse different types and levels of knowledge that underpin a product. We apply this analysis to understanding how Nokia and Ericsson maintained their competitive positions during the Global System for Mobile (GSM)-dominated phase of the industry, even though they were instrumental in developing GSM as an entirely open standard.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	N200 Management studies P100 Information Services
Department:	Faculties > Business and Law > Newcastle Business School
Depositing User:	EPrint Services
Date Deposited:	24 Sep 2010 12:50
Last Modified:	31 Jul 2021 08:38
URI:	http://nrl.northumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/196

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