Difference between revisions of "Technological convergence"

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'''This page is being edited by Daniel Peters EMBA09. In case of any questions/remarks [mailto:dpeters@mirabeau.nl contact me].
'''This Driving Force page has been removed and merged into the [[Technological convergence]] Driving Force.
'''<br><br>
 
==Description==
The Concise Oxford English Dictionary defines the word Converge as “come together from different directions so as eventually to meet”. There is no explicit common accepted definition of convergence in the economic academic literature. Adapting the dictionary definition to economic terminology would yield something like “merging of markets”.
 
Van Dale the Dutch accepted dictionary defines convergence as "samenkomst in een punt", or "coming together in a point".
 
Wikipedia defines technological convergence as follows: the modern presence of a vast array of different types of technology to perform very similar tasks. The term convergence is commonly used in reference to the synergistic combination of voice (and telephony features), data (and productivity applications) and video onto a single network. These previously separate technologies are now able to share resources and interact with each other creating new efficiencies. Source:[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technological_Convergence Wikipedia]
 
A working definition, derived from term usage in management practice, would be something like “a confluence and merging of hitherto separated markets, removing entry barriers across the market and industry boundaries”. The popular image used to illustrate this convergence Jonas Lind Page 4 2004-05-08 was three or four circles gradually moving into each other (e.g. Negroponte cited in Brand 1987 and Wirtz 2001). They usually represented IT, telecom, media and consumer electronics. The four industries were expected to merge into one big blob “the converging industries”, in which the old industry barriers were teared down and everybody would compete with everybody (figure below). (Source: [http://www.wireless.kth.se/index1.html Wireless@KTH])
 
[[Image:ThePopularImageOfConvergence.jpg]]
 
In Retail: Convergence is fast becoming the hot issue in the retail sector. Companies are striving to determine how best to exploit the latest technology to create a multi-channel offering, enabling them to reach and transact with customers in a variety of ways, including stores, mail order, e-commerce, interactive television and WAP technology. The need to establish an integrated and “future-proof” technological architecture, with a common sales platform into which all retail channels feed, will be vital to success in the new world of “ubiquitous commerce”. (Source: [http://economist.com/business/globalexecutive/displaystory.cfm?story_id=797185 Economist])
 
In media: Convergence of media occurs when multiple products come together to form one product with the advantages of all of them. For example, the PlayStation 2 is not only a games console, but also a CD player, DVD player and Internet connector. Mobile phones are another good example, in that they increasingly incorporate digital cameras, mp3 players, camcorders, voice recorders, and other devices. (Source: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convergence_in_the_Media Wikipedia])
 
Convergence of Telecommunication, Media & Entertainment and Technology has turned the internet into a multi-functional platform.
 
==Enablers==
 
--ToDo: Elaborate--
 
*Technological developments --Elaborate-- 
*Consumer demand  --Elaborate--
 
*Technology/Middleware: the invention of so-many middleware applications can seamlessly bring the three parts together.  Realplayer is a good sample. 
Cost Savings: companies in these areas tend to integrate as they can share cost in certain perspectives such as acquisition cost of customer
 
- Globaliztion: such convergence is also driven by globalization. 
 
==Inhibitors==
 
--ToDo: Elaborate--
 
*divergence
*consumer demands
*Law; - government may object to such convergence as it may create monopoly.  Microsoft is a good sample.;
 
==Paradigms==
Technological convergence will affect not only technological developments and solutions but it will move beyond its technological nature towards markets, industries and corporations. It will remove entry barriers across the market and industry boundaries. Which result in an increasing trend of mergers and acquisitions among corporations within the computer, telecom, consumer electronics and media related industries. As in all other industries, eventually, only a few market players will dominate and set the pace in this converged industry combining computer, telecom, consumer electronics and media related solutions.
 
==Experts==
 
*Media conglomerates (Time Warner, Telefonica, New York Times, Google, Yahoo, Microsoft, McGraw-Hill Companies, Elsevier, DreamWorks)
*Technology providers (Cisco, Intel, Vodafone, Sony, Nokia, Motorola, Samsung, IBM, Ericsson )
*[http://www.wireless.kth.se/wireless.php Wireless @KTH]
 
==Timing==
 
ToDo
 
==Web Resources==
*[http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/index.cfm?fa=viewfeature&id=1360 Knowledge@Wharton Managing Technology - The 2006 Gadget Parade: A New Era of Convergence and Convenience]
*Wireless@KTH http://www.wireless.kth.se
*http://subscriptionnetwork.net/subnetwork/subscribe?cmd=fw&p=show&aid=5044&pid=1009

Revision as of 15:46, 12 September 2009

This Driving Force page has been removed and merged into the Technological convergence Driving Force.

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