Architectural Innovations in Perspective

Departing from the discussion in earlier chapters of innovation from within the existing value chain of the semiconductor industry (see chapter Raaijmakers, "Innovation within the Nanoelectronics Value Chain") this chapter discusses examples of innovations in nanoelectronics that initially do not link up with an existing value chain. All the examples discussed in this chapter combine the introduction of technological novelty with the creation of new networks of linkages. On the one hand novel technologies are introduced that radically depart from existing technological capability and skill sets. On the other hand, the formation of a new network of linkages is needed to create a new value chain providing market access. As such, the examples provide insight in the dynamics of architectural innovation, an innovative setting that corresponds to the upper right quadrant of the Abernathy and Clark framework (Abernathy and Clark, 1985).