The acquisition of firm technological capabilities in Mexico's open economy, the case of vitro

This case study explores the evolution of Vitro technological effort as a r esponse to the export orientation of the Mexican economy. It includes a bri ef analysis of Vitro's competition in the glass market, this company's tech nology strategy prior to the opening of market, and the evolution of this s trategy as a result of opening of the markets. The study also includes the presentation of a conceptual framework, in which Vitro as a case study is a nalyzed, and an empirical section, aimed at assessing the evolution of Vitr o's technological capabilities. This section identifies the main technologi es embodied in the processes of glass manufacturing, and a comparison is ma de between them, before and after the liberalization of the markets. The fi ndings and preliminary conclusions suggest that as the market opens, innova tive efforts tend to be more specialized, and there is an attempt to master production engineering faster, and to make adaptations when this is requir ed to increase exports. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Inc.