An evaluation of the relevance of corporate venture capital investment as a means for diversified high technology concerns to sustain competitiveness

Diplomarbeit, die am 26.04.1999 erfolgreich an einer Fachhochschule in Deutschland im Fachbereich Wirtschaft eingereicht wurde. Abstract: This paper evaluates how corporate venture capital investment can contribute to sustaining the competitiveness of large high technology concerns. In the first section the author sets the framework by explaining terminology in the context of technolgy and innovation as well as the market for technology companies. In addition, general issues regarding technology companies and their market environment are discussed. To obtain a means of evaluation, then issue of competitiveness of high technology concerns in the current market situation is examined in general. Competitiveness is discussed and explained by reviewing a substantial amout of literature along a framework developed by Feurer and Chaharbaghi. The chapter culminates in developing an approach to sustaining competitiveness for high technology concerns. As the aspects that determine competitiveness cover a broad spectrum, this section is the main part of the paper. Once an approach to sustaining competitiveness has been developed the third and last part examines in which way the efforts of high technology concerns to sustain competitiveness are advanced by corporate venture capital investment. Essentially, the conclusions drawn do not negate the effect of corporate venture capital, but set a limited and consise scope for corporate venture capital investment. Table of Contents: |List of abbreviations|5 |List of figures|6 |List of tables|7 A.|Introduction and methodology|8 B.|Basics regarding technology and high technology concerns|10 I.|Definitions and characteristics of technology and the technology market|10 1.|Science and research|10 2.|Technology|10 3.|Technique|13 4.|Types of research|14 5.|Innovation|14 6.|The concept of core technology|15 7.|Technology S-curve and life-cycle|16 8.|Technology intensity|19 9.|Customers|22 10.|Techn