Biotechnology developed in the early 1970s as a consequence of major advances in biochemistry, genetics, cell biology and microbiology. There are now over 600 biotechnological companies in Europe. Scottish research groups have international reputations in some of the key areas of biotechnology. This paper identifies the main strategic characteristics of the Scottish biotechnology sector using a questionnaire-based approach of 100 Scottish biotechnology firms. Important strategic behaviour included the use of industry analysis to examine threats and generic strategies to locate products in the marketplace. A key finding concerned the use of strategic networks and partnership development in areas such as research and development, product marketing and international developments.
BartholomewS. (1997), ‘National systems of biotechnology: Complex interdependence in the global system’, Journal of International Business Studies, Vol 28, pp 241–267.
5.
BartlettC.GhoshalS. (1995), Transnational Management: Text, Cases and Readings in Cross-Border Management, 2 ed, Irwin, London.
6.
CarlsenS. (2000), ‘Biotechnology contributes to sustainable development’, in CrockerG.KeenanC.WardM., eds, Evolution: Ernst & Young's Seventh Annual European Life Sciences Report 2000, Ernst & Young International, London.
7.
CarrieA. (1999), ‘Integrated clusters – the future basis of competition’, International Journal of Agile Managment Systems, Vol 1, pp 45–50.
CrockerG.KeenanC.WardM., (2000), Evolution: Ernst & Young's Seventh Annual European Life Sciences Report 2000, Ernst & Young International, London.
11.
DorseyK. (2000), ‘Scots biotechs seek to raise funds ahead of flotations’, The Herald (Glasgow), 13 September.
12.
FinchamJ. R. S.RavetzJ. R. (1991), Genetically Engineered Organisms: Benefits and Risks, Open University Press, Milton Keynes.
13.
FinchamR.RhodesP. (1999), Principles of Organisational Behaviour, Oxford University Press, Oxford.
14.
ForbesT. (2000), ‘Economics, strategy and process: Some observations from the NHS internal market’, Economic Issues, Vol 5, pp 45–61.
15.
ForbesT.HarrisS. (2000), ‘Learning from experience: Taught and enacted strategic approaches of young successful entrepreneurs’, International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behaviour and Research, Vol 6, pp 125–144.
16.
GardnerD. (2000), ‘Scots firms catch up in the race for life’, The Sunday Herald, 28 May.
17.
GlickB. R.PasternakJ. J. (1998), Molecular Biotechnology: Principles and Applications of Recombinant DNA, American Society for Microbiology Press, Washington, DC.
18.
GraceE. S. (1997), Biotechnology Unzipped: Promises and Realities, Joseph Henry Press, Washington, DC.
19.
GrantR. (1996), ‘Towards a knowledge-based theory of the firm’, Strategic Management Journal, Vol 17, Winter Special Issue, pp 109–122.
20.
HillT. J. (1993), Manufacturing Strategy, Macmillan, Basingstoke.
21.
KeoghW.StewartV.MulvieA.TaylorJ. (2000), ‘Science and technology based SMEs: Learning from the market place’, International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behaviour & Research, Vol 6, pp 187–203.
22.
KotlerP. (1985), ‘Creating a marketing culture’, London Business School Journal, Vol 10, pp 5–17.
23.
MosheZ. (2000), ‘Performing an IPO in the US’, in CrockerG.KeenanC.WardM., eds, Evolution: Ernst & Young's Seventh Annual European Life Sciences Report 2000, Ernst & Young International, London.
24.
OhmaeK. (1990), The Borderless World: Power and Strategy in the Interlinked Economy, Fontana, London.
25.
PettigrewA. (1992), ‘The character and significance of strategy process research’, Strategic Management Journal, Vol 13, pp 5–16.
26.
PorterM. E. (1980), Competitive Strategy: Techniques for Analysing Industries and Competitors, The Free Press, New York.
27.
PrahaladC. K.HamelG. (1990), ‘The core competence of the corporation’, Harvard Business Review, Vol 68, pp 79–91.
28.
RobertsB. (2001), ‘Trends in biotech business models: The more things change, the more they stay the same’, The Biotechnology Club Network, Website: www.biotechclubnetwork.org.
29.
RobertsonS. (1998), ‘Across-the-board customer focus is the way ahead’, Marketing, 19 November, p 7.
30.
ShanW.WalkerG.KogutB. (1994), ‘Interfirm cooperation and startup innovation in the biotechnology industry’, Strategic Management Journal, Vol 15, pp 387–394.
31.
ShennanF. (1997), ‘Scotland at the cutting edge of biotechnology’, Scotland on Sunday, 2 November.
32.
SinghK. (1997), ‘The impact of technological complexity and interfirm cooperation on business survival’, Academy of Management Journal, Vol 40, pp 339–368.
33.
StokesR. (1997), ‘Dolly helps Scots win share of £160m fund’, Scotland on Sunday, 2 March.
34.
StokesR. (1999), ‘Betting the farm’, Scotland on Sunday, 9 May.
35.
Weisenfeld-SchenkU. (1994), ‘Technology strategies and the Miles & Snow typology: A study of the biotechnology industries’, R&D Management, Vol 24, pp 57–64.
36.
WojtasO. (1997), ‘Scots at cutting edge get capital funding’, The Times Higher Education Supplement, 1 August.
37.
XueD.TisdellC. (2000), ‘Safety and socio-economic issues raised by modern biotechnology’, International Journal of Social Economics, Vol 27, pp 699–708.
38.
YoungA. (2000), ‘Tactics to lead the field’, The Herald (Glasgow), 5 December.
