Session11 Flashcards
What is a platform in technology ecosystems?
A platform is a foundation technology or service that is essential for a broader, interdependent ecosystem of businesses.
What are the key questions in managing ecosystems?
- Which elements are needed?
- What are the ecosystem rules?
What is complementarity in ecosystems?
When things are different but useful or attractive when used together. The total is worth more than the sum of the parts.
What are centripetal forces in ecosystems?
- Task interdependence (integrality)
- Incomplete contracts and unobservable effort
- Long-lived co-specialized investments requiring up-front coordination.
What are centrifugal forces in ecosystems?
- Dispersed knowledge and diverse talent
- Modularity due to embedded coordination
- Network effects preventing control.
What was the main issue in the 3D printing ecosystem in 1995?
Functionality and reliability of the focal product was the main issue, with firms optimizing internal tradeoffs and testing different configurations.
What was the main risk in the 3D printing ecosystem in 2005?
- Need to increase performance through innovation in components.
- Making 3D printing usable in production.
- Risk mitigated by changing relationships with suppliers.
What was the main challenge in the 3D printing ecosystem in 2015?
Aligning ecosystem elements to support 3D printing and creating value through additive product development. Mitigated through forward integration.
What happened in the 3D printing ecosystem after 2015?
- Incumbents threatened by new entrants (e.g., Additive Industries).
- Diversifying firms (e.g., HP, Trumpf).
- Complementors like Autodesk attempted entry.
- Customers like GE acquired OEMs to take control.
What is Ulrich’s challenge in innovation ecosystems?
80% of activities cross company boundaries: How do you capture and shape these interactions appropriately?
