Technological Discontinuities

Question 1

What happens when a technological discontinuity is introduced?

Answer 1

There is an “Era of Ferment”, where there is design competition amongst firms and substitution. At the same time, there is in “Era of Incremental Change”, where there is an incremental elaboration of the Dominant Design.
After this Eras, there is the emergence of a dominant design.

Question 2

What types of discontinuities are there?

Answer 2

Competence-enhancing technological change.
Competence-destroying technological change.

With competence-destroying technological change, core competences can become core rigidities.