Publication Type

PhD Dissertation

Version

publishedVersion

Publication Date

5-2017

Abstract

Can large firms be innovative in an industry that is mature and regulated?”

Business managers in mature regulated industries, like new and unregulated industries, operate under very challenging conditions, albeit a bit different, and need to create competitive advantages. One potential route to do this is through innovations.

The strategic direction and choices which the firm takes and whether to innovate or not innovate are largely influenced by its environment. And, in mature regulated industries, large incumbents face a triple challenge. Its size, the maturity of the industry and regulations governing the industry are three conditions that are generally deemed by researchers to be unfavorable to innovation. Yet, some firms continue to innovate, while many others failed or have mixed results.

Our research addresses the question of whether large firms in mature regulated industries have a source of advantage that enables them to be innovative.

Our study indicated a positive relationship between organizational innovativeness and perception of environmental dynamism. Firms that perceived the environment as dynamic have a higher propensity to innovate than firms that do not, even though the firms were in the same industry. In other words, innovating firms have a dynamic mindset in which they perceive of their market as dynamic. This suggests that the firm’s perception of the environmental dynamism of its industry plays a critical role in their innovativeness.

Keywords

innovation, environmental dynamism, mature industry, regulated industry

Degree Awarded

PhD in Business (General Management)

Discipline

Place and Environment | Technology and Innovation

Supervisor(s)

ZERRILLO, Philip Charles

First Page

1

Last Page

163

Publisher

Singapore Management University

City or Country

Singapore

Copyright Owner and License

Author

Share

COinS