This paper is motivated by observing that more and more firms are offering modular products assembled with multiple option choices for the consumer. Starting with the PC offerings by Dell which allowed (and still allows) users to configure their product by choosing among multiple choices for...

Business-to-business information technology systems (B2B technologies) are becoming increasingly important in firm supply chains. Utilizing the concept of modularity, this paper clarifies the strategic implications of B2B technology and develops a theoretical structure to explain these outcomes....

Modularity is a means of partitioning technical knowledge about a product or process. When state-sanctioned intellectual property (IP) rights are ineffective or costly to enforce, modularity can be used to hide information and thus protect IP. We investigate the impact of modularity on IP...

Most economic analyses of path creation and dependence are stories about how standards create network externalities - and thus potential "lock-in" - in technological systems like personal computers or high-definition television. This paper examines similar questions of path creation and...

The scientific building modular coordination method is one of the critical factors for improving the standardization, modularization and generalization levels of industrialized buildings. This report looks at optimizing and improving three hierarchical modular grid systems that were selected by...

Das Konzept der Modularität wird von vielen Unternehmen als geeignetes Mittel zur Steigerung der Flexibilität gesehen. Durch ein modular aufgebautes Produkt können beispielsweise heterogene Kundenbedürfnisse möglichst treffend bedient werden, ohne dass dies zu großen Kostensteigerungen...