Managing technological innovation processes in complex products and systems : the case of China's telecommunications switching industry | |
| Author | Zhang, Wei |
| Call Number | AIT Diss. no. SM-00-01 |
| Subject(s) | Technological innovations--China Telecommunication switching systems equipment industry--China |
| Note | A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | Although terms and concepts similar to the complex products and systems (CoPS) have been introduced by several authors, they mostly treat CoPS as special cases for innovation research, and empirical research is rare among these studies. This dissertation integrates the relevant individual concepts of CoPS with the system integration and networking innovation process model, and management competence and capability into a holistic research framework for analyzing CoPS innovation management. The research framework is tested in China's stored program control (SPC) switchboard manufacturing industry. Traditional concepts of managing product innovation have been found not to be suitable for innovation in CoPS. This dissertation argues that the fifth-generation or system integration and networking (SIN) innovation process model provides the relevant tools for managing CoPS innovation. The analysis of products, innovation processes and dynamics of the SPC switch manufacturing industry confirms that SPC switching system shares most characteristics of the ideal-type CoPS, and that the key determinants of the SIN innovation process are critical in the development of SPC switching systems. A framework for evaluating a firm’s competence to manage CoPS innovation is constructed, its key features being the integration of internal and external key resources and the building of core technological and supportive capabilities. The model for managing CoPS innovation in SPC switching systems is tested in five manufacturing firms in China. Thirty-two variables of strategy integration and enabling features that determine the SPC switch innovation process are identified in these five firms. Incremental innovation, modular innovation, architectural innovation, and technology fusion all are integral parts of the new product development in this industry. The five firms’ innovation processes show mostly characteristics of the third-generation (coupling) innovation process model but also certain advanced features, such as time-based strategy, internal integrated computerized data system, and designed-in flexibility, that are features of the SIN innovation process model. A firm's competence to manage CoPS innovation consisting of 18 elements (covering 48 indicators) specifying the key resources and capabilities is tested in the five companies and found valid for SPC switching development. Considering the results of the above analysis, this dissertation recommends that the process model and competence concept for managing CoPS innovation projects developed by this research is further tested and validated in other CoPS industries as well as in the SPC switching industry outside China. Recommendations to the management of the five Chinese SPC switching system manufacturers relate to involving more external resources, and improving their capability to integrate these with internal resources and technological capabilities. |
| Year | 2000 |
| Type | Dissertation |
| School | School of Management (SOM) |
| Department | Other Field of Studies (No Department) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Master of Business Administration (MBA) (Publication code=SM) |
| Chairperson(s) | Igel, Barbara; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Speece, Mark;Paul, Himangshu;Zhang, Jian-Guo;Hobday, Mike; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD); |
| Degree | Thesis (Ph.D.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2000 |