Book description
This book brings together seminal articles by leading scholars of technological and organizational systems, exploring the impact of 'modularity'. Modularity refers to an ability to take apart and put together differenct products and networks, or to 'mix and match' components in order to meet different user specifications. This is of key importance today where new systems such as the World Wide Web and many areas of the computer industry depend on it. The volume pulls together and defines an exciting new area of inquiry: into how our 'modular age' is reshaping the business eco-system.
Includes contributions from leading scholars of technology and organization
Modularity refers to an ability to take apart and put together different products and systems, or to 'mix and match' components in order to meet different user specifications.
Consolidates and defines an area of inquiry that is becoming increasingly important with the development of web-based and 'network' industries.
Sensitizes readers to the complexity of issues surrounding new modular products and systems created by e-business
Encourages readers to make connections among different levels and disciplines.
Initiates a debate around issues of modularity.
Includes a commentary co-authored by the late Nobel Laureate Herbert A. Simon to whom the book is dedicated.
Table of contents
- Copyright
- ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
- INTRODUCTION: MANAGING IN THE MODULAR AGE: ARCHITECTURES, NETWORKS, AND ORGANIZATIONS
-
I. OVERVIEW
- 1. THE ARCHITECTURE OF COMPLEXITY
- 2. TECHNOLOGICAL AND ORGANIZATIONAL DESIGNS FOR REALIZING ECONOMIES OF SUBSTITUTION
-
3. NETWORKS AND INNOVATION IN A MODULAR SYSTEM: LESSONS FROM THE MICROCOMPUTER AND STEREO COMPONENT INDUSTRIES
- 3.1. Introduction
-
3.2. The Development of High-Fidelity and Stereo Systems
- 3.2.1. Early developments
- 3.2.2. The move toward systems in the post-war period
- 3.2.3. The importance of compatibility
- 3.2.4. The origins of 33-rpm records
- 3.2.5. Networks in hardware and software
- 3.2.6. RCA's response
- 3.2.7. The importance of networks to the adoption of the LP and FM
- 3.2.8. From modular systems to appliances?
-
3.3. The Microcomputer Industry
- 3.3.1. Early developments
- 3.3.2. The Apple II
- 3.3.3. Modularity again: the IBM PC
- 3.3.4. The emergence of a network of competitors
- 3.3.5. The importance of the network
- 3.3.6. The importance of modularity
- 3.3.7. Demand-side benefits
- 3.3.8. Supply-side benefits
- 3.3.9. Other types of networks and systems
- 3.4. Conclusions
- 3.5. Notes
- 3.6. References
- 3.7. Commentary
- 3.8. Notes
- 3.9. References
-
II. MODULARITY AND ARCHITECTURES
-
4. THE ROLE OF PRODUCT ARCHITECTURE IN THE MANUFACTURING FIRM
- 4.1. Introduction
- 4.2. What is Product Architecture?
- 4.3. A Typology of Product Architectures
- 4.4. Product Change
- 4.5. Product Variety
- 4.6. Component Standardization
- 4.7. Product Performance
- 4.8. Product Development Management
- 4.9. Closing Remarks
- 4.10. Acknowledgments
- 4.11. Notes
- 4.12. References
- 4.13. Commentary
- 4.14. References
- 5. MANAGING IN AN AGE OF MODULARITY
- 6. TOWARD A GENERAL MODULAR SYSTEMS THEORY AND ITS APPLICATION TO INTERFIRM PRODUCT MODULARITY
-
4. THE ROLE OF PRODUCT ARCHITECTURE IN THE MANUFACTURING FIRM
-
III. NETWORKS AND STANDARDS
-
7. THE ECONOMICS OF NETWORKS
- 7.1. Introduction
- 7.2. Classification of Networks
- 7.3. Network Externalities
- 7.4. Network Externalities and Industry Structure
- 7.5. Sequential Games
- 7.6. Markets for Adapters and Add-Ons
- 7.7. Concluding Remarks
- 7.8. Notes
- 7.9. References
- 7.10. Commentary
- 7.11. Notes
- 7.12. References
- 8. THE ART OF STANDARDS WARS
-
7. THE ECONOMICS OF NETWORKS
-
IV. FIELD-LEVEL AND ORGANIZATIONAL DYNAMICS
- 9. DYNAMICS OF ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNITIES AND TECHNOLOGICAL BANDWAGONS: AN EMPIRICAL INVESTIGATION OF COMMUNITY EVOLUTION IN THE MICROPROCESSOR MARKET
-
10. DOMINANT DESIGNS, TECHNOLOGY CYCLES, AND ORGANIZATIONAL OUTCOMES
- 10.1. An Illustration of the Phenomenon: Dominant Designs, Technology Cycles, and Organizational Outcomes
- 10.2. A Context for Dominant Designs and Technology Cycles: History of Technology and Evolutionary Economics
- 10.3. Literature on Dominant Designs and Technology Cycles
- 10.4. Dominant Designs, Technology Cycles, and Organizational Outcomes
- 10.5. Conclusions
- 10.6. Acknowledgments
- 10.7. Notes
- 10.8. References
- 10.9. Commentary
- 10.10. References
-
11. MODULARITY, FLEXIBILITY, AND KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT IN PRODUCT AND ORGANIZATION DESIGN
- 11.1. Introduction
- 11.2. Nearly Decomposable Systems
- 11.3. Modularity in Product and Organization Designs
- 11.4. Models for Managing Knowledge and Learning in Product Creation
- 11.5. Conclusions
- 11.6. Acknowledgements
- 11.7. Notes
- 11.8. References
- 11.9. Commentary
- 11.10. Notes
- 11.11. References
Product information
- Title: Managing In The Modular Age: Architectures, Networks, and Organizations
- Author(s):
- Release date: November 2002
- Publisher(s): Wiley
- ISBN: 9780631233169
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