Cross-Sector Competition in Telecommunications - An Empirical Analysis of Diversification Activities

Authors

Jochen Wulf, Technical University BerlinFollow
Rüdiger Zarnekow, Berlin Institute of Technology (TU Berlin)Follow

Document Type

Research Paper

Abstract

Cross-sector competition in the information and communications technology sectors (ICT sectors) constitutes a key strategic challenge for telecommunications companies. Due to increasing convergence, value creation is resulting in a greater degree of interaction. The diversification potential of telecommunications businesses is therefore changing with respect to associated ICT sectors, such as hardware, software and media. The article analyses cross-sector competition in the telecommunications industry on the basis of the diversification activities of ICT companies. A concentration of competitive interdependence in the ICT sectors is demonstrated using a cluster analysis of 34,142 companies. The cross-sector activities of telecommunications companies are investigated using contingency and dependency analyses, and the diversification- related competition in the telecommunications sector is also analysed. With regard to the telecommunications sector, particularly high level cross-sector competition with the media industry is identified, as well as strong diversification activities in the software sector. The results are used to derive the potentials and risks that have a significant bearing on the structure of the cross-sector competitive environment of telecommunications companies.

Recommended Citation

Wulf, Jochen and Zarnekow, Rüdiger (2011) "Cross-Sector Competition in Telecommunications - An Empirical Analysis of Diversification Activities," Business & Information Systems Engineering: Vol. 3: Iss. 5, 289-298.
Available at: https://aisel.aisnet.org/bise/vol3/iss5/4