Perello-Marin, M. R.; Marin-Garcia, J. A. & Marcos-Cuevas, J. (2013). Towards a Path Dependence Approach to Study Management Innovation. Management Decision 51[5], 1037-1046.
http://www.upv.es/i.grup/repositorio/own/ART_2013_004_MD-Perello&Marin&Marcos-path%20dependence%20Management%20innovation.pdf
Abstract:
Purpose – Scholars in social sciences tend to use the term of path dependence without explaining
exactly what they mean by it Path dependence is a useful approach to understand the success or
otherwise of the implementation of management innovation. The aim of this paper is to identify under
which conditions it makes sense to talk about path dependence, and the relevance of using path
dependence to the analysis of management innovation
Designlmethodology/appmach – The path dependence literature in different contexts and
knowledge areas within social science is reviewed using a nanative approach
Findings – The concept of path dependence can be used to study management innovation,
particular ly when analyzing the introduction of new management practices The authors argue that
the order in which management practices are introduced has a profound effect on the outcomes for the
organization When the appropriate practices are introduced first, these create enhanced capabilities
for the implementation of subsequent practices. If inappropriate practices are rolled out, they may
severely impede management innovation and thus evolution and change of the firm
Research limitations/implications – This work highlights the need to conduct further research to
understand the interaction between existing practices and the new ones This study can be extended
with an empirical work to corroborate the results presented here
Originality/value – By reviewing the different definitions of path dependence that exist in the
literature, this paper will stimulate a debate on the necessary and sufficient conditions of path
dependence and encourage a greater level of clarity in the management innovation area.
Keywords Path dependence, Management innovation, Management practices, Complexity, Managers,
Innovation, Organizational innovation
Paper type Literature review
1. Introduction
In an increasingly competitive environment, in which changes happen so r§lpidly,
organizations endeavor to evolve in order to achieve a sustainable competitive
advantage .. Firms’ emphasis on maximizing flexibility and adaptability to continuous
change becomes key to ensure future success changes (Adamides and Pomonis, 2009;
Antonelli, 2009; Burnes, 2004b; Farinos et aI, 2011; Karlsson and Ahlstrom, 1996;
The work described in this paper has been supported by the project «CORSARI MAGIC
DPI201O-18243» by the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion del Gobierno de Españia within the
Program de «Proyectos de Investigacion Fundamental No Orientada» ..
A path
dependence
approach
1037
Management Decision
Vol 51 No. 5, 2013
pp. 10371046
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