Journal article
Product modularity and the product life cycle: New dynamics in the interactions of product and process technologies
P Cebon, O Hauptman, C Shekhar
International Journal of Technology Management | Published : 2008
Abstract
Many aspects of product life cycle theory - which underlies the theories of technical innovation in economics, strategy, marketing, operations management and product development - are based on the implicit assumption that products are integrated wholes. We argue that the modularisation of products undermines specific synergies that are associated with integrated product designs and that have been characterised as driving the product life cycle. We suggest how this effect of modularity impacts the structure of organisations, the boundaries of industries and the structure of economies. Copyright © 2008 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.
Grants
Awarded by Wharton-SMU Research Center, Singapore Management University
Funding Acknowledgements
This research was supported by Wharton-SMU Research Center, Singapore Management University (Ref: C207/MS01B020) and Melbourne Business School faculty support funds. The authors would like to thank Carliss Baldwin, Roger Bohn, Andy Boynton, Raghu Garud, Eric von Hippel, Andrew King, Jeffrey Liker, Roberto Mariano, Pang Eng Fong, Ron Sanchez, Kanaan Sethuraman, Augustine Tan, Tan Wee Liang, Tsui Kai Chong, Michael Tushman, and Andrew Van de Ven for their comments on earlier drafts.