Launch support: Managing complementor bottlenecks in the disruptive innovation of small satellites

Deskripsi

Through both qualitative and quantitative analyses of large-rocket providers' support for small-satellite manufacturers before the emergence of small rockets, we examine how disruptors to an incumbent ecosystem gain support from complementors of the incumbent technology. Our analyses illuminate the incumbent complementors' adjustment costs arising from cospecialization with specific incumbent technology designs and resource dependency on major incumbent technology customers. These adjustment costs disincentivize incumbent complementors from supporting the disruptors. In addition, we demonstrate that strategies adopted by the disruptors, such as technological standardization and forward integration, help mitigate these adjustment costs and incentivize incumbent complementors to support the disruptive innovation.