Understand how rising tech and big capital shifts shape who wins in tough markets.
This book presents a theory called critical fixities, explaining why some firms stay locked into aging methods even as new technologies emerge. It links capital intensity, process changes, and strategic choices in ways that help explain why industries like steel, autos, and semiconductors face persistent challenges from faster, cheaper innovations. The author explores how investments in old systems can create barriers to adopting better approaches, and how delaying replacement can both improve and hinder a company’s long‑term performance.
Through a mix of theoretical modeling and steel industry examples, readers see how technology vintage, capacity decisions, and manufacturing links shape profitability and competitive position. The work discusses when waiting for a newer technology makes economic sense, and when it doesn’t, offering a framework for evaluating capital budgeting, capacity expansion, and product–process alignment in the face of continuous technological change.
- How capital fixities influence strategic timing for equipment replacement and upgrades
- Connections between process technology, product mix, and profitability in heavy industries
- Practical implications for research agendas in capital budgeting and capacity planning
- Case-style discussions showing why firms sometimes stick with older tech despite better options
Ideal for readers of strategy and economics who want a clear lens on technology-driven shifts in industry structure and firm performance.
Critical Fixities Under Continuous Technological Change: Some Strategic Implications by Ming-Je Tang