The determinants of innovation and competitive advantage in fast moving R&D intensive industries

• Applicant: Professorin Dr. Karin Hoisl
• Subject Area: Accounting and Finance
• Term: from 2010 to 2011
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 171060155

The emphasis of the underlying study lies on determinants of competitive advantage in fast moving R&D intensive industries, in particular on the determinants of innovation, since innovation is generally regarded as a potential source of (sustainable) competitive advantage. So far, only little theoretical and empirical evidence exists that deals with sources of competitive advantage in extreme environments. Existing lines of research use traditional patterns and concepts and apply them to the new context. The research carried out in this project will draw on the results from the management literature and from the field of organizational innovation to develop a theoretical model that allows deriving hypotheses regarding the determinants of competitive advantage in fast moving industries. The focus will thereby be on the individual, i.e. on the characteristics and skills of the individuals involved in the process of innovation. In particular, the project seeks to understand the complex causality between individual characteristics and competitive advantage to derive implications for policy makers and R&D management.

• DFG Programme: Research Fellowships
• International Connection: USA
• Host: Professorin Dr. Marie Thursby