University of Twente Proceedings
Toward a dynamic perspective on exploative and exploitative innovation activities: a longitudianl study of innovation in the wind blade industry
Visser, Matthias de (2010) Toward a dynamic perspective on exploative and exploitative innovation activities: a longitudianl study of innovation in the wind blade industry. In: The 18th Annual High Technology Small Firms Conference : May 27-28, 2010 + May 25-26 Doctoral Workshop, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands., 25 May 2010 - 28 May 2010, Enschede, The Netherlands .
![]() |
PDF
239kB |
Event: | The 18th Annual High Technology Small Firms Conference : May 27-28, 2010 + May 25-26 Doctoral Workshop, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands., 25 May 2010 - 28 May 2010, Enschede, The Netherlands |
Abstract: | Innovation requires a combination of explorative and exploitative innovation activities. Previous studies have provided valuable insights in the antecedents of investing in explorative and exploitative activities, the structural governance of exploration and exploitation and the performance implications of engaging in exploration and exploitation. These studies are dominated by cross-sectional research, largely ignoring the evolution of exploration and exploitation over time. Several scholars, however, provide first indications that the allocation of time and resources across exploration and exploitation might change over time. In order to examine the dynamics of explorative and exploitative innovation activities, we conducted an indepth case study in one particular company in the wind blade industry, applying a novel approach to measure the evolution of the amount of R&D resources allocated to explorative and exploitative activities over a 5 year time period. Our results show that the relative amount of resources and time invested in exploration versus exploitation is not static, but changes over time. The pattern of the evolution of exploration and exploitation at our case company shows phases in which exploration and exploitation activities are well balanced, and phases where one type of innovation dominates innovation activities. Based on additional qualitative data we found first indications of antecedents of the dynamics of exploration and exploitation. Together, our findings provide an interesting starting point for future research on the antecedents, structural governance and performance implications of the evolution of exploration and exploitation over time. |
Item Type: | Conference or Workshop Item (Paper) |
Link to this item: | http://purl.utwente.nl/proceedings/41 |
Export this item as: | BibTeX EndNote HTML Citation Reference Manager |
Repository Staff Only: item control page