Shapers and adopters of disruptive innovation in the telecommunications sector of South Africa

ABSTRACTUnder conditions of pervasive change, the most difficult challenge facing the marketleader is sustaining its leading position. The primary research problem statementrelates to the construct of Disruptive Innovation that has the potential for newentrants to substantially alter the basis of competition and impact the businessmodels of incumbents. Ultimately, how are shapers distinguished from adopters ofDisruptive Innovation? A qualitative research methodology was selected given thenature of the research. The main findings from the analysis indicate that nontechnologicalattributes distinguishes shapers from adopters of Disruptive Innovationin the telecommunications sector of South Africa. However, Disruptive Innovation asa construct, is largely unknown, and does not adequately explain the changes in thelandscape of the telecommunications sector of South Africa. The implications for theresearch results are that other factors or features, such as the role and impact of theState, have a role to play in explaining the features of the South Africantelecommunications sector.