The dynamic evolution and paradox management of niche leaders: T-Model as an effective strategic option

This editorial introduces the special issue of the Asia Pacific Journal of Management, which focuses on the dynamic evolution and paradox management of niche leaders, with the T-Model as an effective strategic option. Niche leaders, or hidden champions, are SMEs that dominate global niche markets and have gained growing policy attention in East Asia, including China, Japan, and South Korea. While European hidden champions are pioneers, Asian niche leaders are latecomers, featured by catch-up, public listing inclination, public brand recognition, and balanced domestic-global expansion. The special issue accepts papers exploring evolutionary paths, paradoxes, and the T-Model that integrates technological focus depth and market diversification breadth. These studies collectively advance understanding of Asia-Pacific niche leaders, especially Chinese ones, and point out future directions, including cross-national comparisons, mixed methods, and integration of exaptation theory with the T-Model.