Fabrication of MEMS faces multiple technological challenges before it can become a commercially viable technology.
Pavitt [Research Policy 13 (1984) 343] identified different patterns of technological change (technological trajectories) in four sectoral classes of industrial firms.
Grüber, A. in Technological Trajectories and the Human Environment (eds Ausubel, J. H. & Langford, H. D.) 14 32 (National Academy Press, Washington DC, 1997).
Obviously, not all research conducted in universities leads to a radical change from existing technological trajectories.
Solution-processed polymer films are used in multiple technological applications.
Using analytical frameworks of technological trajectories and paradigms this paper examines R&D strategy in large companies.
We also find that a small group of producers – first-movers – still control the industry and technological trajectories.
These findings make contributions to innovation and standards studies by empirically examining the relationship between technological trajectories and standards.
There is little research on the relationship between standards and technological trajectories, particularly in the age of convergence.
Patent data showed the process of emergencies of technological trajectories and interactions (cross-fertilization) between them quantitatively.
