Lock-in Breakthrough of SRDI Enterprises: A Literature Review and Research Agenda

Lock-in breakthrough is a core issue in the growth research of SRDI (Specialized, Refined, Distinctive, and Innovative) enterprises. This paper reviews the evolutionary trajectory of this field. It refines the concept of lock-in, distinguishes it from low-end lock-in and specialization trap, and analyzes its dimensional composition. It then constructs an integrative framework following the "antecedents—paths—effects" paradigm. The review finds that existing research has moved from innovation search to resource reconstruction and further to strategic response typologies, but remains focused on internal mechanisms. External structural conditions, especially the dual-chain fit between industrial chain and innovation chain, are still under-theorized. Future research should deepen the construct of dual-chain fit, develop measurement scales, expand research contexts, enrich methods, and explore mechanisms from multiple theoretical perspectives.