Modularity and innovation in complex systems

被引:496
作者
Ethiraj, SK
Levinthal, D
机构
[1] Univ Michigan, Sch Business, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 USA
[2] Univ Penn, Wharton Sch, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA
关键词
modularity; complex systems; innovation; nearly decomposable systems;
D O I
10.1287/mnsc.1030.0145
中图分类号
C93 [管理学];
学科分类号
12 ; 1201 ; 1202 ; 120202 ;
摘要
The problem of designing, coordinating, and managing complex systems has been central to the management and organization literature. Recent writings have tended to offer modularity as at least a partial solution to this design problem. However, little attention has been paid to the problem of identifying what constitutes an appropriate modularization of a complex system. We develop a formal simulation model that allows us to carefully examine the dynamics of innovation and performance in complex systems. The model points to the trade-off between the destabilizing effects of overly refined modularization and the modest levels of search and a premature fixation on inferior designs that can result from excessive levels of integration. The analysis highlights an asymmetry in this trade-off, with excessively refined modules leading to cycling behavior and a lack of performance improvement. We discuss the implications of these arguments for product and organization design.
引用
收藏
页码:159 / 173
页数:15
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