Changing competitive dynamics in network industries: An exploration of sun microsystems' open systems strategy

1 July 1993

journal article
research article
Published by Wiley in Strategic Management Journal

Vol. 14 (5) , 351-369
https://doi.org/10.1002/smj.4250140504

Abstract

An integral part of competition is to deny rivals access to proprietary technical knowledge. Yet, Sun Microsystems provides rivals easy access to its technical knowledge and encourages them to enter its workstation market. This paper employs theoretical insights on technological systems and network externalities to understand Sun's open systems strategy. The paper also explores the changing nature of competition in network industries–industries characterized by network externalities and built around technological systems.

Keywords

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