Japanese automakers' approach to electric and hybrid electric vehicles: from incremental to radical innovation
Artikel i vetenskaplig tidskrift, 2012

This paper discusses Toyota's, Honda's and Nissan's efforts in battery, hybrid, and fuel cell electric vehicles (BEVs, HEVs and FCVs). Its aim is to increase understanding of the process constituting a paradigmatic shift in technology. In particular, the paper aims to elucidate how automakers managed their early moves. Based on interviews, patent data and previous literature, key aspects relating to the automakers successful early moves into vehicle electrification (as seen in 2010) are outlined. Toyota's (and Honda's) aim of in-house knowledge development in the new technologies is among the aspects emphasised as distinctive compared to other world automakers. Furthermore, spill-over in terms of branding and sales and a deliberate development of the corporate culture are proposed as potential new first-mover objectives and consequences. Finally, this paper argues that Toyota, Honda and Nissan are capable of not only incremental but also more-than-incremental innovations, as illustrated by their position in the electrification race.

Toyota

radical

electric vehicle

automaker

automotive

entry

Japan

hybrid

organizations

paradigm

incremental

product development

first-mover

evolutionary

firms

technology

industry

capabilities

innovation

uncertainty

Författare

Hans M Pohl

Chalmers, Teknikens ekonomi och organisation, Entrepreneurship and Strategy

International Journal of Technology Management

0267-5730 (ISSN) 1741-5276 (eISSN)

Vol. 57 4 266-288

Ämneskategorier

Produktionsteknik, arbetsvetenskap och ergonomi

DOI

10.1504/IJTM.2012.045546

Mer information

Skapat

2017-10-08