Managing in the Modular Age Architectures, Networks, and Organizations

by Garud, Raghu; Kumaraswamy, Arun; Langlois, Richard

• ISBN13: 9780631233152
• ISBN10: 0631233156
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2002-11-01
• Publisher: Wiley

Summary

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.

Author Biography

Raghu Garud is Associate Professor of Management and Organizational Behavior at Leonard N. Stern School of Business, New York University. Besides authoring many articles on modularity that have been published in leading management journals, Raghu has co-edited and co-authored several books, including Path Dependence and Creation (2001), The Innovation Journey (1999), and Technological Innovation: Oversights and Foresights (1997). He was Program Chair for the Technology and Innovation Management Division for the 2001 Academy of Management meetings.

Arun Kumaraswamy is Assistant Professor of Management at the School of Business – Camden, Rutgers University. He has published several papers on modularity and standards in journals such as the Academy of Management Journal and the Strategic Management Journal.

Richard N. Langlois is Professor of Economics at the University of Connecticut. He is the author of numerous articles and books, including Firms, Markets, and Economic Change: A Dynamic Theory of Business Institutions (1995). His history of the microcomputer industry won the Newcomen Award as the best article in Business History Review in 1992.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements	vii
Introduction Managing in the Modular Age: Architectures, Networks, and Organizations	1	(14)
R. Garud
A. Kumaraswamy
R. N. Langlois
Part I Overview
The Architecture of Complexity	15	(30)
H. A. Simon
Commentary	38	(7)
M. Augier
H. A. Simon
Technological and Organizational Designs for Realizing Economics of Substitution	45	(33)
R. Garud
A. Kumaraswamy
Commentary	68	(10)
R. Garud
A. Kumaraswamy
Networks and Innovation in a Modular System: Lessons from the Microcomputer and Stereo Component Industries	78	(39)
R. N. Langlois
P. L. Robertson
Commentary	101	(16)
R. N. Langlois
P. L. Robertson
Part II Modularity and Architectures
The Role of Product Architecture in the Manufacturing Firm	117	(32)
K. Ulrich
Commentary	146	(3)
K. Ulrich
Managing in an Age of Modularity	149	(54)
C. Y. Baldwin
K. B. Clark
Commentary	161	(42)
C. Y. Baldwin
K. B. Clark
Toward a General Modular Systems Theory and its Application to Interfirm Product Modularity	203	(14)
M. A. Schilling
Commentary	203	(14)
M. A. Schilling
Part III Networks and Standards
The Economics of Networks	217	(30)
N. Economides
Commentary	241	(6)
N. Economides
The Art of Standards Wars	247	(28)
C. Shapiro
H. R. Varian
Commentary	270	(5)
C. Shapiro
H. R. Varian
Part IV Field-level and Organizational Dynamics
Dynamics of Organizational Communities and Technological Bandwagons: An Empirical Investigation of Community Evolution in the Microprocessor Market	275	(41)
J. Wade
Commentary	306	(10)
J. Wade
Dominant Designs, Technology Cycles, and Organizational Outcomes	316	(46)
M. L. Tushman
J. P. Murmann
Commentary	348	(14)
G. Westerman
M. L. Tushman
Modularity, Flexibility, and Knowledge Management in Product and Organization Design	362	(28)
R. Sanchez
J. T. Mahoney
Commentary	380	(10)
R. Sanchez
Index	390