Abstract
This paper analyzes product innovations of embedded software in mobile phones (ESIMP) in Japan based on the functions realized by the embedded software employing patent application data by Japanese applicants in JPO, addressing two research questions: (i) What are the evolutionary patterns of product innovations of ESIMP? (ii) What factors influence the evolutionary patterns of product innovation in ESIMP? Different evolutionary patterns of product innovations have been observed based on different functions realized by ESIMP, including: (i) call related communication functions, (ii) non-call related communication functions, (iii) functions related to hardware component control and (iv) data related functions. The paper concludes that requirements of non-functional properties of embedded software, development of specific technologies and the increasing hardware performance have influenced the evolutionary patterns of product innovations in ESIMP. The paper confirms that the evolutionary pattern of product innovations in ESIMP has been through a shift from control-centered to information-centered functions. Implications for innovation strategies and future research are presented.
