His fascination with software began with BASIC programming on a Prime minicomputer in the early 1980s; most of his recent research would not have been feasible without a knowledge of C. Professor Cottrell's research interests are primarily in the field of technology strategy in emerging industries characterized by network externalities. Professor Cottrell worked as a Certified Public Accountant for Deloitte, Haskins and Sells and Microsoft Corporation prior to completing doctoral work at the University of California, Berkeley.