Technology strategy for the semiconductor memory market

Abstract

Solid state memories are used in a variety of applications as data and code storages. A non-volatile memory is a memory that retains information when its power supply is off. Flash memory is a type of nonvolatile memory that can be erased and programmed by data called blocks. Flash memory is used to store system control codes in various applications. A recent representative example is Solid State Drive (SSD). A SSD is a type of computer storage that is composed of a number of flash memories. SSDs store data electronically unlike hard disk drives, which store data magnetically. The advantages of a solid-state drive are: no mechanical parts, less power and weight than hard disk drives. This thesis investigates existing technologies, markets, emerging technologies, and applications in the solid state memory market. It analyzes the current solid state memory industry structure using market data and frameworks. The emerging technologies and applications are researched in order to deliver technological innovations to the semiconductor memory market. It also studies and suggests how strategies of firms might influence technologies, value chains, and future evolutions using system dynamics models. The system dynamics models are based on a conventional commodity market model because of similarity between the semiconductor memory market and the commodity market. The simulation results provide insights into future market evolutions caused by new technologies. This research will lead to recommendations for companies currently struggling to survive in the industry, and for companies considering entry.