About typology of competitive advantage as a result of IT-innovation:case studies of cross-industry innovations

Abstract

The paper proposes the typology of IT innovations and competitive advantages, created by them, in the context high-tech IT innovations spreading in traditional industries. The typology of IT innovations and competitive advantages, created by them, is proposed according to the criteria of function and area of application of IT innovation.By function criteria IT innovation are divided on «information bridge» and basis for technical innovation. By application areas criteria IT innovation are divided on three types: within the firm; in sectoral / cross-sectoral cooperation; in interaction with state agencies.Thus all ways of cross-sectoral spread of IT innovation divided for 6 patterns. Each of the 6 patterns disclosed in the specific examples.The author examines several cases, describing different mechanisms of cross-sectoral spread of IT innovations, that confirms proposed typology and, at the same time, provide a more realistic, multi-dimensional picture of each pattern.