Title: Resolving the 'innovation dilemma': corporate development of new technology-based product lines and businesses

Authors: E.B. Roberts

Addresses: David Samoff, Professor of Management of Technology, Alfred P. Sloan School of Management, MIT, 50 Memorial Drive (E52-535), Cambridge, Mass. 02139, USA

Abstract: The |Innovation Dilemma| arises from the needs of most corporations eventually to develop major product lines and businesses that are distant from their current base strengths in markets and technologies. Yet their attempts to innovate are marked by high failure rate, especially in unrelated market-technology zones. An assessment of the major alternative strategies for technology-based business development highlights the strengths and weaknesses of each approach. |The Familiarity Matrix| aligns these strategies with their appropriate use in seeking product line and business innovation.

Keywords: acquisitions; alliances; diversification; familiarily matrix; innovation dilemma; internal ventures; joint ventures; new business development; technology strategy; technology development; new technologies.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVD.1992.061730

International Journal of Vehicle Design, 1992 Vol.13 No.4, pp.335 - 351

Published online: 27 May 2014 *

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