Strategic research interests, organizational behavior, and the emerging market for the products of plant biotechnology

Abstract As plant biotechnology products become commercialized, some researchers have questioned the goals of organizations using this new technology. Just and Hueth believe that chemical/pesticide companies will dominate plant biotechnology research and will not develop plants that can substitute for chemicals. Other economists, such as Teece, believe that firm-specific resources rather than existing markets determine firm growth. In this vein, it is hypothesized that differences among pesticide and other firms leads to a diverse range of plant biotechnology-derived plants. The main conclusion is that firm-specific resources rather than existing firm business categories determine research effort. It is also concluded that since firm resources and business interests vary within organizational groupings, firms within the same industry may seek growth in diverse ways. Plant biotechnology field-test permit data is used to support these conclusions.

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