Building competences in the firm : lessons from Japanese and European optoelectronics

This book examines the dynamics of competence building process at the firm level in a sample of leading Japanese and European companies engaged in the field of optoelectronics. The concept was derived from the notion of firm specific competences which are closely related to the firm's intangible assets and accumulated technological bases. Several factors affect the rate and direction of competence building, chief among them being primary markets, top management strategy and the evolution of the R & D organization, and organizational learning. A novel technique is introduced to assess competences using three types of data on US patenting, scientific publications and qualitative interview data Current opinion favours assessment of companies and their performances through their capabilities and core competences. This book provides the first detailed assessment of competence building in an international sample of firms engaged in the field of optoelectronics, an industry characterized by the fusion of previously distinct scientific fields, and with a central role to play in the development of industries such as communications and consumer electronics. The leading Japanese and European firms have preserved distinctive competences according to their technological and product-related backgrounds, but also moved into different products and markets. Dr. Miyazaki provides innovative techniques to assess corporate competences through the use of quantitative methods. Her approach can readily be used for the appraisal of technological competences in other fields. Front Matter....Pages i-xvi Introduction....Pages 1-10 The Concept of Competence Building....Pages 11-38 Optoelectronics — a Leading Core Technology....Pages 39-67 Building Optoelectronic Competence in Firms....Pages 68-103 Empirical Results — the Classification of Competences....Pages 104-145 Learning, Interlinkages and Shifting Trajectories....Pages 146-194 Conclusions....Pages 195-205 Back Matter....Pages 206-321