Florenta Teodoridis, Associate Professor of Management and Organization and the Jorge Paulo and Susanna Lemann Chair in Entrepreneurship at the University of Southern California
Friday, January 16th, 2026 1:30 - 3:00pm
Abstract
Uncovering factors that shape the trajectories of technologies during the incubation stage is crucial for maximizing value creation potential. Yet, existing studies have predominantly focused on characterizing innovation activities in later industry stages after a technology has already become commercially viable, largely due to difficulties of obtaining incubation stage data. In this study, we document incubation stage innovation efforts in quantum computing guided by insights from the existing literature on industry evolution, on university and company innovation, and on enabling technologies. Our analysis aligns with the hypothesized important roles of company innovation, collaboration between companies and universities, and reduction in demand and technological uncertainty during the incubation stage. It also highlights the critical importance of value capture strategies, which are essential yet challenging to develop during the incubation stage of enabling technologies.
Biography
Florenta Teodoridis is Associate Professor of Management and Organization and the Jorge Paulo and Susanna Lemann Chair in Entrepreneurship at the University of Southern California. Her main areas of interest are the economics of innovation and science, creativity and the impact of technology on society. She investigates factors that influence the rate and direction of technological advancements, such as research technologies, collaborations and breadth and depth of expertise, and the impact of technological advancements, such as artificial intelligence and quantum technologies, on business strategy and productivity.