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Technological competition: a path towards commoditization or differentiation? Some evidence from a comparison of e-book readers

Author

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  • Pierre-Jean Benghozi

    (i3-CRG - Centre de recherche en gestion i3 - X - École polytechnique - IP Paris - Institut Polytechnique de Paris - Université Paris-Saclay - I3 - Institut interdisciplinaire de l’innovation - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

  • Elisa Salvador

    (ESSCA - Ecole Supérieure des Sciences Commerciales d'Angers)

Abstract

Technological rivalry is recognized as a key dimension of competition and innovation strategies in the digital era. It is particularly important in strategies focused on disruptive and repeated innovations, where each step contributes to shaping the design of the offering, the structuring of the market and the value chain. These technological trajectories are built on the basis of tensions between two contradictory objectives: specialization aimed at creating proprietary systems and standardization aimed at supplying the overall market. In the former case, successive innovations support competition between exclusive and proprietary ecosystems. In the latter case, commoditized devices create opportunities for alternative actors to engage in innovation and value creation. The e-book reader market serves as a key example of the issues at stake in terms of technological rivalry among technology suppliers, digital platforms, and publishers.

Suggested Citation

  • Pierre-Jean Benghozi & Elisa Salvador, 2015. "Technological competition: a path towards commoditization or differentiation? Some evidence from a comparison of e-book readers," Post-Print hal-02080207, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-02080207
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://hal.science/hal-02080207v1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Pierre-Jean Benghozi & Elisa Salvador, 2015. "Technological innovation and R&D. The disregarded dimension of the creative industries: the case of book publishing," Economia della Cultura, Società editrice il Mulino, issue 2, pages 255-268.
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