Technological Trajectories and Locational Dynamics of the R&D Function in the Chemical Industry : Cases of Three Functional Chemical Firms

DOI Web Site

Bibliographic Information

Other Title
  • 化学産業における技術軌道と研究開発機能の立地力学 : 機能性化学企業3社の事例
  • カガク サンギョウ ニ オケル ギジュツ キドウ ト ケンキュウ カイハツ キノウ ノ リッチ リキガク : キノウセイ カガク キギョウ 3シャ ノ ジレイ

Search this article

Abstract

Though there have been many studies on innovation in relation to economic geography, only a few have focused on the important relationship between technological innovation and industrial location. Through the application of technological trajectories, this paper analyzes the disparate dynamics among the use by three Japanese chemical companies of either a central laboratory or a laboratory attached to a local production base. This paper clarifies how the formation and transition of technological trajectories and the locational dynamics of R&D mutually affect one another, as well as affect the development process of the companies' functional chemical products. Historically, the three functional chemical companies discussed in this paper-Denka, Showa Denko, and JSR-have maintained their original technological trajectories, focusing on core technologies (i.e., central to the company since inception) before allocating R&D resources to new products, such as electronic materials and components. Core technologies tend to be based in local production bases rather than laboratories located in metropolitan areas. Since the 2000s, the three functional chemical companies have been attempting to integrate the locations of their technologies to broaden their business fields. In addition, there has been a locational shift of R&D as the companies seek proximity to foreign customers, which are growing more important in the market.

Journal

Related Projects

See more

Keywords

Details 詳細情報について

Report a problem

Back to top