High Tech

Is the semiconductor industry leading in the new?

May 16, 2020

In brief

The semiconductor industry is at the center of rapid technology advances. But, have industry players been successful in leading in the new?
Creating profitable and sustainable revenue streams requires new areas of technology and new applications.
Our analysis suggests that many semiconductors need to forge new strategies to develop their core business, while innovating for their future.

A framework for gauging success in a new marketplace:

Successful companies have been marrying their investments in innovation (both how much and where it’s directed) to a commitment of sustaining core products that underpin sustainable financial performance.
Using this framework has enabled Accenture to create a categorization of industry players based on their pivot intensity, i.e. how quickly they will be able to rotate to the new.

Our research shows that only 31% of companies are utilizing their investment capacity to fuel growth.

We examined the industry through the lenses of financial performance and innovation prowess. Our analysis revealed four key types of businesses in the sector.

Intensity matrix graphic comparing investment capacity and velocity with four strategy outputs.

Pivot intensity: Investment Capacity vs. Investment Velocity
(Source: SEMICONDUCTOR INDUSTRY: Accenture ‘Leading in the New’ Research, March 2018)

Develop a new strategy

Semiconductor businesses that want to lead in the new, will need to develop a strategy to take them to the next phase of innovation and growth.
These are the three strategic imperatives that enable companies to rotate to the new:

1. Transform the core business

An organization must increase efficiency and maximize profits from its core business.

2. Invest for core business growth

Rather than spending all of the new profits on the new business, the company must dedicate a portion to drive incremental growth in the core business.