Concept Innovation in the Software Industry: 1990-2002

61 Pages Posted: 19 Dec 2012 Last revised: 1 Sep 2017

See all articles by Elizabeth G. Pontikes

Elizabeth G. Pontikes

University of Chicago - Booth School of Business

Date Written: January 1, 2016

Abstract

This study investigates concept innovation, when firms create new market category labels to differentiate their products. Data suggest that concept innovation is frequent. But little is known about its antecedents. This study proposes that concept innovation is based both on recombinant processes and on constraints from existing classification. Firms that combine elements across market categories are more likely to engage in concept innovation – when categories are constraining. But when a firm’s categories are lenient, the relationship weakens and leniency leads to concept innovation as firms attempt to resolve ambiguity. Hypotheses are tested using three measures of combination, and results support hypotheses for all three measures in a longitudinal analysis of 4,566 firms and 456 market categories in the software industry between 1990 and 2002.

Keywords: Concept innovation, concepts, invention, innovation, categories, labels, classification, leniency, constraint, software

Suggested Citation

Pontikes, Elizabeth G., Concept Innovation in the Software Industry: 1990-2002 (January 1, 2016). Chicago Booth Research Paper No. 12-61, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2191152 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2191152

Elizabeth G. Pontikes (Contact Author)

University of Chicago - Booth School of Business ( email )

5807 S. Woodlawn Avenue
Chicago, IL 60637
United States

HOME PAGE: http://faculty.chicagobooth.edu/elizabeth.pontikes/

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
259
Abstract Views
1,798
Rank
214,809
PlumX Metrics