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Organizational evolution with fuzzy technological formats: Tape drive producers in the world market, 1951-1998

Carroll, G.R.; Feng, M.; Le Mens, G.; McKendrick, D.G.

Authors

G.R. Carroll

M. Feng

G. Le Mens

D.G. McKendrick



Abstract

We study how tape drive producers respond to the almost continuous emergence of new drive formats across the technology's history. The analysis characterizes the technological formats of tape drives according to their degree of contrast (distinctiveness and visibility) from other formats. We also develop and test arguments about how different types of tape drive manufacturers add and drop the production of formats as a function of the producer density of formats. In the empirical analysis, we find that firms producing formats with high contrast experience a lower rate of mortality. In terms of new format adoption, we find that firms characterized by high levels of contrast are more likely to add formats. Regarding the target of adoption, tape drive producers are more likely to add higher density formats; and these producers are also less likely to drop higher density formats.

Citation

Carroll, G., Feng, M., Le Mens, G., & McKendrick, D. (2010). Organizational evolution with fuzzy technological formats: Tape drive producers in the world market, 1951-1998. Research in the sociology of organizations, 31, 203-233. https://doi.org/10.1108/s0733-558x%282010%290000031009

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date Jan 1, 2010
Deposit Date Mar 24, 2011
Journal Research in the sociology of organizations : a research annual.
Print ISSN 0733-558X
Publisher Emerald
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 31
Pages 203-233
DOI https://doi.org/10.1108/s0733-558x%282010%290000031009