F1 Technology

Journal of Management Studies, July 2010, Vol. 47, Issue 5, pp884-910.

Technological Discontinuities and Competitive Advantage: A Historical Perspective on Formula 1 Motor Racing 1950 - 2006*

Mark Jenkins Cranfield School of Management Cranfield Bedfordshire MK43 0AL mark.jenkins@cranfield.ac.uk

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Final Version submitted to the Special Issue of Journal of Management Studies: Business History and Management Studies. May 2009

This is an Accepted Article that has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication in the Journal of Management Studies, but has yet to undergo copy-editing and proof correction. Please cite this article as an "Accepted Article"; doi: 10.1111/j.14676486.2010.00928.x

Acknowledgements The author would like to thank the two anonymous reviewers for their constructive input and critique and the editors of this Special Issue for their support, commitment and perseverance with this paper.

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Technological Discontinuities and Competitive Advantage: A Historical Perspective on Formula 1 Motor Racing 1950 - 2006

Abstract This paper considers the interplay between technological discontinuities and competitive performance. Much of the work on technological discontinuities has focused on macro levels of analysis such as industries and technologies rather than specific firms. This study uses a historical perspective on Formula 1 motor racing to explore the dynamics between firm level performance and technological discontinuities over a 57 year period. The study supports the findings of previous research that suggest that incumbent firms are often unable to adapt to the impact of exogenous shocks. However the study also reveals situations where a relatively small number of firms are able to sustain their competitive superiority through a number of successive discontinuities. We suggest that, in addition to dynamic capabilities, these firms possess sustaining...