Interoperability - Publications - Faculty & Research

2017
Working Paper

Explaining the Vertical-to-Horizontal Transition in the Computer Industry

This paper seeks to explain the technological forces that led to the rise of vertically integrated corporations in the late 19th century and the opposing forces that led to a vertical-to-horizontal transition in the computer industry 100 years later. I first model the... View Details

Keywords: Organizational Design; Business History; Vertical Integration; Horizontal Integration; Digital Platforms; Computer Industry

Citation

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15 Aug 2023
HBS Case

(Virtual) Reality Check: How Long Before We Live in the 'Metaverse'?

But it must first overcome key technological and developmental challenges. One of the most critical questions yet to be answered: Will it be an open and interoperable virtual world, similar to today’s internet, or will it be a closed 3D... View Details

Keywords: by Jay Fitzgerald; Technology; Computer; Information Technology

16 Feb 2010
Research & Ideas

The Outside-In Approach to Customer Service

guys! Not only did the store layout not conform to the buying behavior of many women, but also the store support staff were not always oriented to providing help in ways women wanted to be helped. For example, while women were interested in learning about the... View Details

Keywords: by Sarah Jane Gilbert; Consumer Products

03 Feb 2003
Research & Ideas

Web Services

"These are massive projects involving some of the largest companies in the world. One challenge we'll be facing is managing a highly distributed, complex Web services environment outside the firewall while maintaining security standards." View Details

Keywords: by Julia Hanna; Service

03 Feb 2003
Research & Ideas

Homeland Security: A Ready-made Market

a technology standpoint, that's a no-brainer. The question is, do we want or need an ID card? We need to get our act together first on policy and cultural issues." "I'm interested in creating interoperability between... View Details

Keywords: by Julia Hanna; Service

04 Apr 2017
First Look

First Look at New Research, April 4

interoperability or efficiency. Openness multiplies options and expands diversity, thus increasing the platform system’s value. The last two decades of the 20th century saw the rise of three distinct types of open platforms in the... View Details

Keywords: Sean Silverthorne

16 Sep 2008
First Look

First Look: September 16, 2008

encourage participation—or closed. This paper reviews factors that motivate decisions to open or close mature platforms. At the platform provider and sponsor levels, these decisions entail 1) interoperating with established rival... View Details

19 Nov 2001
Research & Ideas

Wrapping Your Alliances In a World Wide Web

industries remain infinitely focused on creating and selling the next generation of our fast changing technologies, and thus we have not taken the time, effort, or collective resolve to develop a set of industry-wide electronic business View Details

Keywords: by Andrew McAfee

21 Oct 2024
Research & Ideas

What Happens in Vegas Could Shape the Metaverse

have fun or meet people,” the pair write. Can businesses come together to build the metaverse? While plenty of companies want to build the metaverse—whether it be Meta, Epic Games, or another tech giant—Wu and Clough write about the metaverse as a massive, View Details

Keywords: by Scott Nover; Computer; Information Technology

29 Jul 2008
First Look

First Look: July 29, 2008

after only a brief trial. Management was considering whether marketing partnerships and open sourcing its software might relieve strains and facilitate future growth. Linden Lab was also debating whether and how to allow interoperability... View Details

Keywords: Martha Lagace

09 Feb 2010
First Look

First Look: Feb. 9

participation—or closed. This paper reviews factors that motivate decisions to open or close mature platforms. At the platform provider and sponsor levels, these decisions entail 1) interoperating with established rival platforms, 2)... View Details