Backwards compatibility, adapter strategy and the ‘battle of converters’ in analogue photography

Abstract

This paper looks into the strategic actions of companies who attempt to overcome the technological issue of backwards compatibility through the development of conversion devices. Using an exploratory case study of conversion devices for film analogue photography, the paper demonstrates how market characteristics and the technological characteristics of older products change the hierarchy of benefits sought by users. The paper exposes the significance of accurate strategic actions, such as the simultaneous development of multiple types of gateway devices, to target groups of users effectively.

Keywords:

• technology acceptance
• backwards compatibility
• adapter strategy
• analogue photography

View correction statement:

Corrigendum

Notes on contributor

Francesco Schiavone is an assistant professor in management at University Parthenope in Napoli (Italy). He is an affiliated professor at ESG Business School in Paris (France). He holds a PhD in Network Economics and Knowledge Management from University of Venice (Italy). He is member of the Editorial Boards of the International Journal of Globalisation and Small Business and the Journal of Organizational Change Management. His prior research about this topic appeared on the Journal of Organizational Change Management (2012) and IEEE-Transactions on Engineering Management (2013). His current research interests include technological change, innovation, business strategies and entrepreneurship.

Acknowledgements

The author acknowledges Moshe Banai, Jason MacVaugh, Fabio Sabatini Sean Ross (webmaster of APUG.org) and two anonymous reviewers of Technology Analysis and Strategic Management for their valuable comments on the earlier versions of this article.

Notes

This article was originally published with errors. This version has been amended. Please see Corrigendum (http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09537325.2013.862999).

1. The final number of film scanners analysed is 26 products. The total amount of product in the flatbed scanners’ section was 81 but document fed devices (43) were not counted. Of the remaining 38 scanners, just 15 products really converting slides, films and/or negatives were counted. Therefore, the final amount of flatbed scanners analysed is 41.