Exploring the research landscape of convergence from a TIM perspective: A review and research agenda

Nathalie Sick and Stefanie Bröring

Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 2022, vol. 175, issue C

Abstract: Convergence at the level of science, technology, market or industry can increasingly be witnessed in a number of empirical settings. It is currently seen as one of the most important influence factors on and trigger for developing innovation strategies. This empirical relevance is mirrored by a surge in publications. Therefore, motivated by a highly dynamic but at the same time rather unstructured body of literature, this review offers a systematic and critical analyses of studies related to Technology and Innovation Management (TIM) research that address convergence from a processual perspective. Four major strands can be identified: (1) drivers and patterns of convergence, (2) anticipation of convergence, (3) strategic reactions to convergence, and (4) convergent products. A key finding of this review is that most contributions have been inward oriented, i.e. understanding the dynamics of convergence. A consequence of this inner focus is that the scientific discourse on convergence has to some degree unfolded independently from its theoretical underpinnings. To this end, this review provides a comprehensive framework of convergence research, including current challenges and emerging themes to address these challenges. The resulting research agenda serves as a starting point to inspire future studies of relevance for theory and conceptual development as well as managerial practice.

Keywords: Converging industry; Industry convergence; Industry fusion; Innovation strategy; Knowledge recombination; Technology convergence (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:tefoso:v:175:y:2022:i:c:s0040162521007526

DOI: 10.1016/j.techfore.2021.121321

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