This book investigates the drivers, patterns, and economic implications of technological diversification within modern industrial firms. The authors, Alfonso Gambardella, John Cantwell, and Ove Granstrand, utilize a combination of empirical data and firm-level case studies to construct a framework for understanding how companies expand their technological competencies. They argue that diversification is a strategic response to the complexities of global competition and the necessity of integrating disparate knowledge bases to maintain a competitive advantage.

Experts identify this work as a foundational text for understanding the evolution of corporate technological strategy. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which makes it a standard reference for researchers and graduate students in the fields of industrial organization and innovation management.