Inchan Kim is the lead author of "Two entrepreneurial firms, a digital disruption, and different responses: the role of organizational mission and experiential computing digital options," recently published in Information & Management.
These days, big, powerful firms are increasingly looking to conquer “little guys’” hard-earned markets.
In this hostile business environment, what should entrepreneurs do to survive and thrive?
This paper starts with an observation that two leading digital entrepreneurial firms responded differently to a digital disruption from a big, powerful firm: one adapted, whereas the other stagnated and eventually went bankrupt. Through an in-depth case study on these two firms (Fitbit and Jawbone) against Apple Watch, the study presents findings that recast the conventional wisdom about corporate strategies against disruptions.
Specifically, this study shows that specializing in select capabilities, as opposed to being “flexible”, actually helps digital entrepreneurs. The entrepreneurs' focused action builds the necessary strength over time that can help fend off big tech firms' disruptive encroachment onto their hard-earned markets.
