Ronja Schlemminger

• This doctoral thesis investigates paths from an organization theoretical perspective. The respective debate is characterized by two almost entirely separately led discussions about path dependence, or alternatively path creation. Against this background, it is the objective of this thesis to reconcile these two streams of research and inquire into the possibility of coexisting paths in the form of path dependence and path creation. Towards this end, at first a systematic review offers an overview of the field of path-related research in the social sciences. Second, building upon the deepened understanding gained from this review, an empirical inquiry is launched to explore how a novel path is created at an information and communication technology company while this is still sticking, in a path dependent fashion, to an older path. Third, the dynamics between both paths are explored. Taken as a whole, a theoretically sound and at the same time empirically substantiated theoretical framework of the coexistence of path dependence and path creation is offered.