Technology and Competitive Strategy: Perspectives for Innovators, Differentiators and Followers

Competitive Strategy is a key driver of industrial growth and economic development. There has, however, been no book that expounds holistically the key role of technology in shaping and influencing competitive strategy. This book is an insightful analysis of the several ways in which technology drives competitive strategy. The book’s unique contributions lie in the classification of firms based on the concept of technology pyramid and articulation of characteristic strategies of innovators, differentiators and followers.

The book develops a distinctive five forces model of technology and proposes three generic technology competitive strategies. It also focuses on the linkages between strategy, technology and regulation. Multiple themes are weaved together by the myriad threads of technology in a seamless and simple manner. It is loaded with innumerable real life examples which validate the constructs. The book would inspire technologists and strategists as well as academicians and administrators to deploy technology not only for competitive advantage at firm level but also for national comparative advantage and broader socio-economic equity.

Dr C Bhaktavatsala Rao holds a Ph.D. in Industrial Management and an M. Tech. in Industrial Engineering, both from the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, Chennai, and a B.E. in Mechanical Engineering from Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati.

Dr CB Rao has forty-two years of diversified experience in strategic and operational leadership of large reputed companies, including global MNCs, in India. He has led the companies he was associated with on paths of rapid growth and value creation. A business leader with deep roots in pharmaceutical and automobile industries and a strong grasp over all functional domains, he has undertaken several growth-driving and value-building integration and diversification initiatives for the companies he led. He is a prolific writer with over 130 publications in economic and business dailies and refereed journals to his credit. He runs his management blog under the name Strategy Musings at cbrao2008.blogspot.com where he posts articles on different aspects of strategy and leadership regularly.

Leadercrest Academy is established by Dr CB Rao to leverage his knowledge and experience as a world class institution for leadership development, competitive strategy and corporate governance that would enable business and industrial excellence. Leadercrest is committed, among others, to publish books and reading materials to support its objectives.

Dr CB Rao has recently authored a book titled From Start-up to Ramp-up: Indian Insights and Global Context, which has received critical acclaim.