Addressing the Challenges of Industrial Transition Processes – the Case of Photovoltaics Industry

Abstract

The aim of the article is to explore the managerial practices that enable capitalizing on the critical instability during an on-going transition period in the life-cycle of an industry. The investigation followed a qualitative approach using a field-based case study method and a longitudinal design. Multiple data collection methods were adopted to reduce a systematic bias in the gathered data and to develop the case, shaped by the context and emergent data. The gathered rich data enabled the confrontation of industry transformation signals with the strategic maneuvering exhibited by the investigated firm. Observed options involved imitating, repositioning, exiting or entering. The study is a part of a larger project financed by National Science Centre of Poland (NCN) - 2013/11/D/HS4/03965