evaluation of the relevance of corporate venture capital investment as a means for diversified high technology concerns to sustain competitiveness

Diploma Thesis from the year 1999 in the subject Business economics - Investment and Finance, grade: 1,7, Aachen University of Applied Sciences (Wirtschaft), language: English, abstract: Inhaltsangabe:Abstract:§This paper evaluates how corporate venture capital investment can contribute to sustaining the competitiveness of large high technology concerns. In the first section the author sets the framework by explaining terminology in the context of technolgy and innovation as well as the market for technology companies. In addition, general issues regarding technology companies and their market environment are discussed.§To obtain a means of evaluation, then issue of competitiveness of high technology concerns in the current market situation is examined in general. Competitiveness is discussed and explained by reviewing a substantial amout of literature along a framework developed by Feurer and Chaharbaghi. The chapter culminates in developing an approach to sustaining competitiveness for high technology concerns. As the aspects that determine competitiveness cover a broad spectrum, this section is the main part of the paper.§Once an approach to sustaining competitiveness has been developed the third and last part examines in which way the efforts of high technology concerns to sustain competitiveness are advanced by corporate venture capital investment. Essentially, the conclusions drawn do not negate the effect of corporate venture capital, but set a limited and consise scope for corporate venture capital investment.§Inhaltsverzeichnis:Table of Contents:§List of abbreviations5§List of figures6§List of tables7§A.Introduction and methodology8§B.Basics regarding technology and high technology concerns10§I.Definitions and characteristics of technology and the technology market10§1.Science and research10§2.Technology10§3.Technique13§4.Types of research14§5.Innovation14§6.The concept of core technology15§7.Technology S-curve and life-cycle16§8.Technology intensity19§9.Customers22§10.Technology companies24§11.The field of research management of technology 25§12.The scope of this paper26§II.Target firms and the high technology market26§1.Market trends27§2.Strengths and weaknesses of target firms when compared with other types of technology companies28§a.Weaknesses28§b.Strengths29§3.Window on technology29§4.New technologies and new markets32§C.Competitiveness33§I.Customer values34§1.Real option values for customers36§2.Competitive values38§II.Shareholder values40§1.Real option values for shareholders42§2.Relation of customer and shareholder values42§III.The ability to act and react and the dynamism of the competitive environment43§1.External organisational structures43§2.Monopoly effect of innovation45§3.Innovation and value creating business processes47§a.General issues47§b.Development process49§c.Additional considerations to raise the customer value50§d.Market introduction and diffusion51§4.Reducing the threat by competitors technologies53§5.Dealing with shareholder pressure54§IV.Developing a competitiveness approach for target firms55§1.Competitive intelligence56§2.Competitive support and education58§3.Shareholder communication58§4.Research59§5.Capability to focus development60§6.Organisation structures and culture60§7.Interdependencies62§8.Investment levels66§D.Corporate venture capital and competitiveness68§I.Basics of corporate venture capital68§1.Definition and differentiation68§2.Types and internal organisation of CVC investment69§3.Characteristics of the investment process71§a.Finding suitable investments71§b.Portfolios72...