Polaroid could not convert its R&D priorities into new product competence

Evidence

A striking example of such path dependence was provided by Tripsas and Gavetti (2000), who portrayed the difficulties Polaroid experienced in changing their R&D priorities into a new product development competence. — Jörg Sydow, Georg Schreyögg, and Jochen Koch, Organizational Path Dependence, 81

Categorization

• CANDY: Polaroid’s documented failure to pivot is an easy, concrete illustration of path dependence.
• XREF: Connects to Christensen’s innovator’s dilemma literature on incumbent failure.