Technological upgrading in Taiwan's TFT-LCD industry: signs of a deeper absorptive capacity?

Ya-Shiou Chang, Michael Hobday

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Firms from several advanced developing countries have successfully upgraded to higher levels of capability and competitiveness on the international stage. This study explores how leading Taiwanese latecomer firms acquired strong capabilities in the display (thin film transistor-liquid crystal display, TFT-LCD) industry. We identify how these firms acquired the technology base to catch up rapidly and move from one set of advanced products and technologies to another, focusing on both the accumulation of technological capabilities and the underlying absorptive capacity of each firm. Empirically, we distinguish three phases of capability building, namely pre-entry, entry, and innovation and diversification. Theoretically, we suggest that the notion of ‘latecomer’ absorptive capacity, centred on engineering and design rather than R&D, might explain both the rapidity of recent technological catch up and the diversification across products and technologies as latecomer firms approach the technology frontier.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1045-1066
Number of pages22
JournalTechnology Analysis and Strategic Management
Volume25
Issue number9
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 18 Jul 2013

Bibliographical note

© 2013 Taylor & Francis

Keywords

  • latecomer absorptive capacity
  • technological capability
  • upgrading
  • transition
  • latecomer firms
  • TFT-LCD
  • Taiwan

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