Following the systems of innovation approach, corporate innovative activities are characterised by the companies' interactions with external actors, organisations and institutions. This raises the question how far external factors affect the technological scope decisions of firms. What role does the national, sectoral and technological environment play for the development of the corporate technological profile? To answer this question the author uses a new, multidimensional approach which takes into account the interactions between different levels of consideration. Empirical analyses of the European life sciences industry offer the verification of the theoretical approach. In conclusion, detailed patent analyses reveal clearly the impact of the different observation perspectives on the evolution of technological profiles. Furthermore, the predicted interactions between the different innovation systems become apparent.