Technological Capability-accumulation and the Underlying Learning Processes: Analytical Frameworks and Differences between Latecomer Steel Firms

This paper builds analytical frameworks in order to examine the role of key features of the underlying learning processes in influencing inter-firm differences in technological capability-accumulation paths in the latecomer context. This relationship is examined in two of the largest steel firms in Brazil over their lifetimes of 40 and 60 years. These issues have been addressed, individually or together, in different literatures on ‘technological capability’ and ‘learning’ in industrialised and latecomer firms. However, there still is a scarcity of analytical frameworks and supporting empirical evidence to explain the implications of the underlying learning processes for inter-firm differences in technological capability-accumulation paths, particularly within the latecomer context. The framework for capabilityaccumulation identifies different types and levels of technological capabilities. The framework for learning identifies four processes: external and internal knowledge-acquisition, knowledgesocialisation and knowledge-codification. These are examined on the basis of four features: variety, intensity, functioning, and interaction. Drawing on in-depth comparative case-study methodology, the study has found that: (1) the technological capability-accumulation paths followed by the two firms were diverse and have proceeded at differing speeds over time and (2) the key features of the underlying learning processes have played a key role in influencing these differences. The paper suggests that, at least within the large latecomer steel firm, purposeful and effective efforts on the manipulation of key features of the underlying learning processes are likely to generate positive implications for the manner and speed of technological capability accumulation.