Internet Economics I: New Business Models / Entrepreneurship

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The rise of the networked economy is changing economic possibilities around the world. From the call centers in India to eBay and the new Internet entrepreneurs, there are many signs that suggest a flatter world fueled by innovative production and marketing strategies. In this session, we will explore the promise and reality of the changing economic tides associated with rising Internet use including those marketing to the long tail and the new oligopolists.

Readings

Additional Resources

Class Discussion

In this new world, where “reproductions of our best efforts are free” and products and services are getting commoditized at a fast rate, how can a company stand out of the crowd? How to keep or gain market share when new competitors arrive all the time? In such a democratized environment companies come alive and die like never before. Kevin Kelly shows “Eight Generatives Better Than Free” principles one should go after to make money. It looks correct now, however, it seems any assumptions we make are to be wrong in the near future.

--Andre Monteiro 08:45, 12 February 2008 (EST)

It is interesting to read the article "Better than free" as I can relate to my experience in the information technology industry. Many years ago software is King. Software is the most expensive component. How things changed since then! It is amazing that many software are now available, free, from the internet. A lot of software companies actually make money from supporting, consulting and implementing the software for customers.

--Williamctam 10:39, 12 February 2008 (EST)

  • Name: Zinta Saulkalns

The rise of e-tailers such as Amazon and i-Tunes have transformed the old economy into a new model of increased consumer involvement and choice. The relationship chain is no longer limited to producer – retailer – consumer. The flow of exchange travels in both directions amongst all actors. The benefits of e-commerce are many, but the same limitations that restrain certain populations in “the real world” still exist online. Reduced transaction costs and communication time can benefit low-income entrepreneurs, but inequities remain abundant. Limited or inconsistent online access, language barriers, high usage costs, and the lack of technical support contribute to a lag in e-commerce in developing nations (not to mention in many regions domestically). Efforts such as those by the Information and Communication Technology Innovation Program for E-business and SME Development (ICT-4-BUS) by the Multilateral Investment Fund and the Information Technology for Development Division of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) aid in the expansion of technology’s reach. ICT-4-BUS provides $ 5 million in grants for the development and implementation of pilot projects that will test innovative ICT solutions and services for Small and Medium Size Enterprises (SME) in Latin America and the Caribbean. Programs such as these are critical to fostering entry into the “e-market.”

--Zsaulkalns 14:28, 12 February 2008 (EST)

  • Name: Christopher Linzey

Any one else in this class, who like I absolutely love the internet and can't imagine life without it, ever find themselves nearly overwhelmed with all of the information at your fingertips? The more time I spend online the more I learn. The more I think about what I learn the more potential business ideas I come up with. If I don't stop surfing and acquiring knowledge at some point, though, I'll never get any idea off the ground. --20617586 17:36, 12 February 2008 (EST) - I do know that feeling. I call it 'drunk with data' - it becomes too hard to separate the data from the needed knowledge. some call it 'information overload'. i agree also about the business ideas - you can get very excited about all of the possibilities, and it becomes difficult to focus one a single business concept. BobKeyes 16:35, 14 March 2008 (EDT)

Name: Owen Jones

The von hippel video on innovation reminded me of " Charles Leadbeater: The rise of the amateur professional" which discusses the origins of the mountain bike that I mentioned in class. --Owen Jones

Name: Rocky W. Hill

Here's a question that remains unanswered. What will the next generation do with the Internet? All domain names have been taken! All Internet ideas have been used. There are only so many auction sites one can visit. There are only so many search engines one can visit. What will the do? What new ideas will they come up with? What will they sell? How will the advertise?

Nashville, TN --Rocky W. Hill 22:21, 20 February 2008 (EST)

--Ternto333 15:00, 23 February 2008 (EST) I was interested to find out about the Anticybersquatting Consumer Protection Act. Recently Visa won a court battle with evisa.com because its domain was too similar to Visa.

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