Research on the Influencing Factors of Technology Path Transformation of Latecomer Enterprises

Abstract

This paper adopts the fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis method to carry out an empirical analysis on Chinese latecomer enterprises and examines the key factors and realization paths that affect the technology path transformation of latecomer enterprises. This paper finds that there are configuration characteristics among the influencing factors of the technological path transformation of latecomer enterprises. The paper reveals the causal complexity mechanism of multiple factors that jointly affect technology path transformation. The key factors that affect the technological path transformation of latecomer enterprises include organizational vigilance, strategic transformation capability, network connections breadth, resource governance depth, dynamics of the technological environment, and the scale of social demand for technology. The above factors not only emphasize that latecomer enterprises should focus on new technologies rather than the market but also reveal that strategic transformation capability and resource governance depth are the keys for enterprises to achieve technology path transformation. In addition, it is pointed out that latecomer enterprises should pay attention to the “window of opportunity” brought about by the scale of social demand for technology. The transition from technology path dependence to technology path transformation of latecomer enterprises is a process in which the key factor becomes stronger.