The improvement trajectory of PCR DNA replication and ERP software as general purpose technologies: an exploratory study of 'anchor technologies'. Issue 3 (15th March 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lehrer, Mark; Banerjee, Preeta M.; Wang, I. Kim
• Is Part Of: Technology analysis & strategic management. Volume 28:Issue 3(2016)
• Page Start: 290
• Page End: 304
• Publication Date: 2016-03-15
• Subjects: General purpose technologies -- process-based technologies -- ERP software -- PCR DNA replication -- improvement trajectory; Technological innovations -- Management -- Periodicals; Research, Industrial -- Management -- Periodicals; High technology industries -- Management -- Periodicals; Strategic planning -- Periodicals; 658.401205
• DOI: 10.1080/09537325.2015.1095285
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0953-7325

Abstract

ABSTRACT: As an effort to peek into the black box of large-scale general purpose technologies (GPTs) like biotechnology and information technology, we develop the concept of 'anchor technologies'. An anchor technology is a core technology of a large-scale GPT ('mega-GPT') that opens a new era in the development and diffusion of the mega-GPT. We trace the historical evolution of two process-based, yet otherwise very different, anchor technologies: enterprise resource planning (ERP) software within the mega-GPT of information technology and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) DNA replication within the mega-GPT of biotechnology. The case studies reveal the utility of 'productisation' as an important means of commercialising innovations in anchor technologies; more generally, the interplay between improvement in process-based technologies and in complementary product-based technologies provides insight into how ERP and PCR were able to sustain a path of continued improvement within their respective mega-GPT.