Exploring Innovative Capabilities in an Incumbent Firm

Nowadays, companies are operating in an environment
that is characterized by ongoing and complex changes.
One reason for that is the evolution of industries.
This puts innovative capabilities in a central
position. When trying to do something new it is
mainly incumbent firms struggling to find the right
balance between efficiency and creativity which
generally requires conflictive capabilities.

In this work the case of an incumbent firm is
examined. Geveko Group being one of the European
leaders in the road marking business today has
identified Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) as an
opportunity to maintain its competitive advantage. A
framework to explore innovative capabilities is
designed based on existing literature for the
specific case of Geveko. The findings are that Geveko
is heading in the right direction. But there are
significant points such as the diffusion of knowledge
within the entire group as well as the settings and
communication of a clear vision towards ITS which
have to be improved. Finally, it is recommended to
form an independent business area for Geveko ITS and
how to enhance innovative capabilities within this
new business unit and Geveko as a whole.

Autorentext
Ragnar Bergvik and Marika Dertz studied Industrial Engineering and Management and both hold a MSc in Management and Economics of Innovation from Chalmers University of Technology (Gothenburg). Having graduated, Ragnar is now working as Management Consultant in Oslo, while Marika is currently finishing her diploma at the Technical University Berlin.

Klappentext
Nowadays, companies are operating in an environment that is characterized by ongoing and complex changes. One reason for that is the evolution of industries. This puts innovative capabilities in a central position. When trying to do something new it is mainly incumbent firms struggling to find the right balance between efficiency and creativity which generally requires conflictive capabilities. In this work the case of an incumbent firm is examined. Geveko Group being one of the European leaders in the road marking business today has identified Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) as an opportunity to maintain its competitive advantage. A framework to explore innovative capabilities is designed based on existing literature for the specific case of Geveko. The findings are that Geveko is heading in the right direction. But there are significant points such as the diffusion of knowledge within the entire group as well as the settings and communication of a clear vision towards ITS which have to be improved. Finally, it is recommended to form an independent business area for Geveko ITS and how to enhance innovative capabilities within this new business unit and Geveko as a whole.