資源蓄積と連鎖的なニッチ参入による企業成長 : 小野薬品工業プロスタグランジンの開発事例

抄録

This paper explores a mechanism wherein a small firm achieves high performance in the long term. We focus on the competition process through R & D activities and the firm's conduct in the product market. In strategic management, many literatures have not sufficiently examined the argument on the dynamics of competition because they have discussed the relationship between each firm's positioning or resources and the competitive advantage at a certain point in time. However, firms can change the competitive environment and their market position through various business activities, and then, these changes have a great influence on each firm's resource accumulation and their usage of a resource. This paper discusses the mechanism of the growth of a firm under such dynamics. The case of R & D conducted for Prostaglandin in Ono Pharmaceutical Company was selected to investigate the process and mechanism for the achievement of high performance. In the 1960s〜70s, Prostaglandin was considered to be a biological substance that was expected to cure various diseases. Ono is a leader in R & D for Prostaglandin because of its quick and intensive approach toward investments in this field. The firm continued to sequentially introduce Prostaglandin for niche markets and enhance the resources pertaining to Prostaglandin. As a result, Ono has occupied a unique position in the industry and achieved high performance for thirty years. In conclusion, the mechanism wherein a small firm achieves high performance in the long term involves quick and intensive investments by the firm in a resource; then, the firm continues to sequentially introduce products for niche markets and enhance the resource. In doing so, the firm occupies a unique position in the market and achieves high performance.