Many technology studies have conceptualized transitions betweentechnological generations as a series of S-curve performanceimprovements over time. Surprisingly, the interregnum between successivetechnological generations has received little attention. To understandwhat happens in the interregnum, we build upon a framework oftechnological change as happening within an ecosystem that ischaracterized by both momentum and inertia. Applying this framework tostudy the mobile communications ecosystem, we found that the transitionbetween 2G to 3G wireless was far from sequential. Different parts ofthe ecosystem evolved at different rates exerting both inertia andmomentum with 'collateral technologies' playing an important role inshaping the transition path that unfolded. Based on this study wesuggest that, rather than a distinct or unitary shift from an old to anew technology, transitions proceed in a zigzag manner resulting in theemergence of hybrid technologies. These processes hold implications forboth theory and practice that we explore in this paper.
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