A comparative analysis of technological learning systems in emerging rotorcraft companies

Abstract

The aim of this research is to understand how emerging rotorcraft companies in various countries accomplished technological learning over the last sixty years. Owing to its unique products and growing market demand, rotorcraft industry is one of the most globalized and dynamic sectors of the aerospace industry. Understanding technological learning in the rotorcraft industry is important to industrial policy makers and corporate managers who are seeking more clarity in the relationship between rotorcraft companies and the global social-political environment. Although there has already been extensive research on technological learning in various industries, evidence of technological learning in the rotorcraft industry has been lacking. This research aims to fill this gap in the field of technological learning by unveiling the learning dynamic and technological evolution of emerging rotorcraft companies. This thesis will analyze these developments by research on emerging rotorcraft companies' National Innovation Systems (NIS) and their different modes of cooperation with foreign companies. The analysis on the companies' NIS is an important element of the research framework as it defines the national innovation environment for the industry. NIS represents the unique system of institutional, private and foreign stakeholders and their interaction in the country. The analysis on the different modes of cooperation with foreign companies is the second key element of the research framework as mode of cooperation is an important technological indicator for emerging rotorcraft companies. To substantiate the findings of technological learning in the rotorcraft industry, three case studies of emerging rotorcraft companies - Agusta (Italy), Avicopter (China) and Kawasaki Heavy Industries Aerospace (Japan) were made. Each case provides both holistic and detailed view of the unique technological learning system of the company by analyzing both national-level and company-level factors. This thesis synthesizes and compares the three companies' technological learning systems and draws conclusion in relationship to their respective NIS. This thesis has identified that concurrent internal learning, a history of cooperation, favorable national learning environment and production scale are essential for emerging rotorcraft companies to succeed. Moreover, it has also found that denial of technology access only slows down but does not prevent technological learning completely. This thesis will not only provide industrial policy makers and corporate managers with greater insight into the technological learning systems of emerging rotorcraft companies, but also a different perspective regarding technological transfer and cooperation. Finally, this thesis contributes to the research on technological learning through its original case studies from the rotorcraft industry.