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Analysing disruptive potential: the case of wireless local area network and mobile communications network companies
Author(s) -
Hüsig Stefan,
Hipp Christiane,
Dowling Michael
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
randd management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.253
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1467-9310
pISSN - 0033-6807
DOI - 10.1111/j.1467-9310.2005.00369.x
Subject(s) - disruptive technology , disruptive innovation , usability , telecommunications , mobile technology , computer science , mobile telephony , emerging technologies , wireless network , wireless , business , engineering , marketing , mobile computing , mobile radio , human–computer interaction , manufacturing engineering , artificial intelligence
In this article, we analyse the prediction that wireless local area network (W‐LAN) technologies will be disruptive for incumbent mobile communications network operators. For this purpose, we develop a methodology of guided interviews to assess technologies for their disruptive characteristics based on theory of disruptive technology developed by Christensen (1997) and recent extensions. The application of our comprehensive step‐by‐step method improves the precision of the disruptive technology concept and its usability for practitioners to make ex ante distinctions between disruptive technologies and other phenomena caused by emerging technologies. Our method predicts that contrary to common assumptions, W‐LAN is not likely to represent a disruptive technology for the established mobile communications network firms in terms of Christensen's concept. This research was conducted in close collaboration with Vodafone Pilotentwicklung, an R&D and technology monitoring unit of the Vodafone Group. Vodafone provided part of the empirical data through expert interviews and market reports.