Path dependence as a political construct, the disruptive influence of technology and Japanese aerospace

Steven McGuire, Felicia M. Fai, Toshiya Ozaki

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Citations (SciVal)

Abstract

Japan has largely failed to develop an extensive aerospace industry designing and manufacturing entire aircraft. One explanation has been that the political cum security relationship between the US and Japan precluded the development of an autonomous aerospace industry. This relationship may be changing. Japan has succeeded in gaining extensive sub-contracting work on the new Boeing 787, including technology-rich work on wing design. As such, this paper puts a different take on the concept of path dependence; that it can be a social construction. This paper considers whether technological change in the sector is, however, opening opportunities for Japanese firms to break free from their current trajectory.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)367-379
Number of pages13
JournalInternational Journal of Technology Management
Volume50
Issue number3/4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2010

Keywords

  • wing design
  • technological trajectories
  • path dependence
  • technological change
  • Boeing 787
  • Japanese firms

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Path dependence as a political construct, the disruptive influence of technology and Japanese aerospace'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this