Technology Lessons from Samuel Slater's Delayed Adoption of the Power Loom

From: Journal of Applied Management and Entrepreneurship | Date: January 1, 2005| Author: Congden, Steven W | Copyright information

Executive Summary

Historians have judged Samuel Slater harshly for his late adoption of the power loom in the early 19th Century U.S. Cotton Industry. This research takes a step in redeeming Slater by finding that late adoption was historically reasonable given his business strategy and particular circumstances. However, sometimes new technologies that are not initially appropriate for one's strategy can later develop to become appropriate. By then, new competitors who initially exploi...

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