ABSTRACT
In this chapter historical case study evidence is presented which suggests that corporate technological trajectories tend to be generally pathdependent, but with a continual drift that changes the composition and extent of technological diversification. Cantwell and Fai (1999) had observed path-dependency in the profiles of corporate technological specialisation of 30 large firms over the 60-year period from 1930-90, in that these profiles tended to persist over time, even if they were subject to gradual or incremental change. However, that study also found some evolution and diversification in the patterns of corporate technological capabilities over time. This chapter looks in greater depth at the specific historical paths followed by four of these large firms in their corporate technological trajectories, and over the longer period 1890-1995. In doing so more can be said about the precise nature of the evolution that occurred, and about the character of changes in corporate technological diversification. What is more, the question can be addressed of whether, if profiles of corporate technological capabilities tend to persist over periods of 60 years (such that the specificities of a firm’s primary technological origins can still be identified as being present 60 years later), does the same hold for periods as long as 100 years or more?
