Swift and Smart: The Moderating Effects of Technological Capabilities on the Market Pioneering–Firm Survival Relationship

We extend the concept of first-mover advantage to the context of high-technology industries with multiple product generations, and propose that the notion of first-mover advantage needs to be viewed not only through a dynamic lens, but also in conjunction with technological capability. Our main finding is that first-mover advantages are best understood in tandem with the firm's technological capabilities; early entry is beneficial only for pioneers that are technically strong. However, pioneers that are low on technological capabilities suffer from poor survival rates vis-à-vis market responders or nonentrants into new product generations.