The value of modularity
Subtitle: splitting and substitution
By: Carliss Y. Baldwin and Kim B. Clark
Contributors: Harvard Business School. Division of Research; Clark, Kim B.
Edition: Rev.].
Series: Working paper / Division of Research, Harvard Business School -- 98-087; Working paper (Harvard Business School. Division of Research) -- 98-087
Publisher: Division of Research, Harvard Business School
Published: 1999
Place of publication: Boston]
Language: eng
Number of pages: 43
Subjects: Modularity (Engineering); Electronic digital computers; Design and construction; History; Computer industry
Description: To understand the drivers of the evolutionary process and the patterns of technological change and competition that grew out of it, it is not enough simply to establish the fact that computer systems became modular; that a modular task structure allowed modules to change at different rates; that new module concepts were introduced by designers trying to create and capture economic value. We need to understand how the modular operators create value; why designers choose one set of operators rather than another and why some modules evolve at very different rates and come to play very different competitive roles.
Notes: "January 13, 1999"--P. 1.

Revision of: The value of modularity : splitting and substitution. 1996. Working paper 97-039.

Revision of: The emergence of a modular cluster. c1998, c1997.

Chapter 10 of forthcoming book: Design rules: the power of modularity.

Includes bibliographical references.