Competition in the industries that develop complex products (such as aircra
ft engines and radar) depends on the integration of organizational systems
as well as the pace of technological change.
Companies in these industries can be regarded as 'system companies'. A fram
ework and taxonomy are developed to indicate the characteristics and types
of companies and to understand how organizational learning and integration
take place. This makes it easier for companies to anticipate strategic chan
ge and some implications of this kind are described.