Path Dependence and Creation

by Garud, Raghu; Karnøe, Peter; Karnoe, Peter; von Burg, Urs

• ISBN13: 9780805832723
• ISBN10: 0805832726
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2001-02-01
• Publisher: Lawrence Erlbau

Summary

The editors, aware of the recent work in evolutionary theory and the science of chaos and complexity, challenge the sometimes deterministic flavor of this subject. They are interested in uncovering the place of agency in these theories that take history so seriously. In the end, they are as interested in path creation and destruction as they are in path dependence. This book is compiled of both theoretical and empirical writings. It shows relatively well-known industries, such as the automobile, biotechnology, and semi-conductor industries in a new light. It also invites the reader to learn more about medical practices, wind power, lasers, and synthesizers. Primarily written for academicians, researchers, and Ph.D. students in fields related to technology management, this book is research-oriented and will appeal to all managers.

Table of Contents

Foreword	ix
Preface	xi
About the Contributors	xv
Path Creation as a Process of Mindful Deviation	1	(40)
Raghu Garud
Peter Karnoe
I PATH DEPENDENCE AND BEYOND
When and How Chance and Human Will Can Twist the Arms of Clio: An Essay on Path-Dependence in a World of Irreversibilities	41	(28)
Andrea P. Bassanini
Giovanni Dosi
Unpacking Path Dependence: Differential Valuations Accorded History Across Disciplines	69	(22)
Paul M. Hirsch
James J. Gillespie
Sources of Technical Change: Induced Innovation, Evolutionary Theory, and Path Dependence	91	(36)
Vernon W. Ruttan
II FROM PATH DEPENDENCE TO PATH CREATION
Paths and Regions: The Creation and Growth of Silicon Valley	127	(22)
Martin Kenney
Urs von Burg
Standards, Modularity, and Innovation: The Case of Medical Practice	149	(20)
Richard N. Langlois
Deborah A. Savage
Complexity, Attractors, and Path Dependence and Creation in Technological Evolution	169	(44)
Joel A. C. Baum
Brian S. Silverman
III PATH CREATION AS CO-EVOLUTION
America's Family Vehicle: Path Creation in the U.S. Minivan Market	213	(30)
Joseph F. Porac
Jose Antonio Rosa
Jelena Spanjol
Michael Scott Saxon
The Construction of New Paths: Institution-Building Activity in the Early Automobile and Biotech Industries	243	(26)
Hayagreeva Rao
Jitendra Singh
Constructing Transition Paths Through the Management of Niches	269	(34)
Rene Kemp
Arie Rip
Johan Schot
IV PATH CREATION AS MOBILIZATION
Show-and-Tell: Product Demonstrations and Path Creation of Technological Change	303	(26)
Joseph Lampel
Innovation as a Community-Spanning Process: Looking for Interaction Strategies to Handle Path Dependency	329	(26)
Bart Van Looy
Koenraad Debackere
Rene Bouwen
Technologies of Managing and the Mobilization of Paths	355	(26)
Jan Mouritsen
Niels Dechow
Why Do You go to a Piano Store to Buy a Synthesizer: Path Dependence and the Social Construction of Technology	381	(20)
Trevor Pinch
Author Index	401	(10)
Subject Index	411