Redefining strategic success

: a comprehensive analysis of companies gaining competitive edge via disruptive technologies and control mechanisms

Abstract

This thesis critically explores how different players from specific industries are implementing disruptive technologies in order to gain a competitive advantage. To provide a basis, certain success cases are analyzed by the concept of technical and strategic control points in the context of the digital business model. Furthermore, the thesis develops general strategies which are stating at which point in time and for which certain players specific kinds of control points are most important. In order to streamline the research of this thesis, two research questions are addressed. 1. Can a systematic analysis of historical cases provide insights into the key factors that contribute to the successful integration of disruptive technologies and the establishment of control points? 2. Which control points are the most important for a certain group of companies? The study outlines the transformative strategies employed by new entrants in industries led by traditional incumbents and further emphasizes their focus on leveraging technology and digital innovation to meet the current market conditions. Within all the analyzed industries of banking, automotive and food delivery new entrants were able to set new standards for the whole industry. Derived from these insights the thesis defines certain strategies for new entrants and incumbents that are describing the potential process of a company in the industry to be the dominant player of the ecosystem.

Date of Award	26 Jan 2024
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	René Bohnsack (Supervisor)