فصلنامه سیاست علم و فناوری
سال سیزدهم شماره 4 (پیاپی 48، زمستان 1399)

Capability is one of the core concepts in strategy literature. Moreover, it is widely used to explain why latecomer firms can’t succeed in design and development of complex systems. There has been many efforts and significant progress in regard of capability but it is conceptualization and usage in empirical researches are problematic yet. In this paper a framework for operationalization of capability concept has been developed. Using the proposed framework, the process of formation and evolution of design capability in a latecomer system integrator has been investigated through a case study. For this purpose, acquisition and improvement of knowledge, tools and skills as micro-foundations of design capability and their integration has been under focus. In addition to show usability of our proposed framework, this case study provides a better understanding of how a firm's context and motivation affects on formation and evolution of its capabilities. Results of this research, are also a good guide for managers in regard of their plans for acquisition and improvement of required micro-foundations and the way they are integrated as a capability.

Complex product systems (CoPS) industries largely contribute to industrial development, economic growth and creation of national wealth in both developed and developing economies. CoPS also show a number of specific characteristics as a distinctive category of industrial products in comparison with mass-produced consumer goods. These aspects have attracted the attention of scholars to study CoPS over the last 25 years, resulting in a fairly extensive body of literature on the subject. However, there is a further need to connect research findings in this area, to illustrate a macro view of the development in the field, explore common themes, and identify possible paths into the future. This study aims to contribute to these ends by: 1) exploring the quantitative aspects of the CoPS literature; 2) illustrating topical classification of CoPS studies and their findings; and 3) suggesting opportunities for future research through examining common trends and unresolved issues in the literature. The findings of this study include the presentation of various descriptive statistics, thematic classification of previous studies, introduction of key trends in the development of research background, suggestions for future research and management and policy implications in the field of innovation in complex products and systems (CoPS).

Complex products and systems (CoPS) ​​are one of the factors that create competitive advantage in the modern economy. Features such as network structure and the presence of multiple actors with diverse knowledge backgrounds make the integrator organization (hub) forced to choose different types of collaboration with each actor. This research seeks to answer the question of what kind of technological collaboration is proposed on the basis of the various characteristics associated with each actor, the content of the interaction knowledge and technology and other communication features between the parties. After reviewing the literature, six key indicators were identified to determine the type of technology collaboration with three major actor groups including large and medium-sized companies, new technology base firm, and universities and research centers then Six main approaches were considered in integrating collaboration with other actors, including outsourcing, licensing, strategic alliances, joint research and development, joint ventures and merge and acquisitions. Finally, using the cluster mode analysis method and calculating the internal coefficient of agreement, the proposed method for collaboration based on cooperation status in each of the six indicators was identified.

System Integrator firms cannot develop all the strategic resources they need on their own, and consequently, some of them must be acquired through inter-organizational networks. Research shows that most network studies focus more on network antecedents and outputs and less on processes and related capabilities. Some researchers have made few efforts to identify and scrutinize capabilities related to business relationships. In this context, scholars have introduced “networking capability” (NC) to emphasize the network perspective. Despite the considerable conceptual and empirical richness, the existence of different nomenclatures and theoretical diversity in NC literature has led to conceptual ambiguity and a lack of consensus on this crucial concept. We have tried to cover this gap through a systematic review of related literature. A systematic review of this study includes structured screening, coding, and categorizing of concepts related to networking capabilities. This study identifies two critical components for NC: Network Development Capability (NDC) and Network Management Capability (NMC). An overview of NC conceptualizations shows that network development is often overlooked, and the network management is overemphasized. This study, while classifying the concepts in the literature under each of these categories, also provides their theoretical definition. Finally, we have identified a series of research gaps in NC studies and proposed some suggestions for future research direction.

Due to the different pattern of evolution of complex product systems in comparison with conventional innovation models, this paper examines the evolution of innovation in complex product systems in Iran's aviation industry using the concept of life cycle model in systems engineering. In this paper, a model for identifying and analyzing innovation stages in CoPS is developed with a focus on revealing the interaction of reverse and forward engineering. For this purpose, first, by reviewing the literature and life cycle models in CoPS, a conceptual framework was developed. Then, by chronological multiple case study of three CoPS in the aviation industry, a life cycle-based innovation process model in CoPS was developed. This model includes following stages: reverse engineering and design recovery (including data evaluation and analysis, technical data package generation, design verification, technical data package completion and design implementation), concept, development, production, operation, support and retirement. Our findings show several salient features of innovation process in CoPS in Iran's aviation industry as follows. This model is a complex system of processes which are concurrent, iterative, recursive and interdependent. During the product innovation process, reverse and forward engineering interact with each other. Also, this model provides a systematic and pragmatic framework for better management of the innovation process in complex product systems that are designed and produced based on ideas and technical data obtained from reverse engineering in intraction with forward engineering (direct design).