The eBay case continues with a brief financial contrast of eBay’s “bits” based business model vs. WalMart’s “atoms” based model, and a discussion of the challenges of transitioning from a growth to maturing business. We conclude the semester with an additional study of network effects in action. A very brief introduction to venture funding and the IPO markets is offered, highlighting IPO market inefficiencies. W.R. Hambrecht's OpenIPO process is discussed – an effort that attempts to address these inefficiencies through a market efficiency auction. The effort’s initial struggles are highlighted, as well as the firm’s recent successes (Note: this file is in enhanced podcast format).
Posted by: John Gallaugher
Podcast: MI021 Lecture 17 - eBay (end) and IPO Auctions.m4a
| @ April 30, 2008 9:16:40 PM EDT ( ) |
Through the eBay case we examine factors that have enabled the firm to dominate 80-90% of the online auction business in the US. eBay's market efficiency auction is contrasted with liquidation auctions. Also discussed are network effects, switching costs, the role of timing, and the various ways in which firms expand internationally. (Note: this file is in enhanced podcast format).
Posted by: John Gallaugher
Podcast: MI021 Lecture 16 - eBay Case.m4a
| @ April 30, 2008 9:09:44 PM EDT ( ) |
A managerial introduction to Network Effects (also known as Network Externalities or Metcalfe's Law) explains why some products become more valuable as more people use them. The Facebook case follows this introduction. Facebook is rapidly growing beyond its undergrad roots. But is the site destined to be the next Google (a profit gusher), the next Skype (a 220 million user market-disrupter with few profits), or the next GeoCities (once the #3 most popular web destination, now nowhere)? The F8 application platform effort is discussed, along with the failure of the Facebook Beacon consumer targeting effort.
Posted by: John Gallaugher
Podcast: MI021 Lecture 15 - Network Effects & Facebook.m4a
| @ April 22, 2008 11:50:15 AM EDT ( ) |
The advancement of cheaper and more powerful computing provides both opportunities and challenges to managers. The lecture discusses advances in supercomputing, grid computing, and cheap/ubiquitous computing from a managerial perspective. Moore's Law. Challenges to continued advancement in the semi-conductor industry are discussed, as are solutions of multi-core and 3D/Stackable chips. The class ends with a discussion of eWaste.
Posted by: John Gallaugher
Podcast: MI021 Lecture 14 - Moore's Law (end).m4a
| @ April 22, 2008 11:47:28 AM EDT ( ) |
Tech gets more powerful and cheaper because of Moore's Law. This lecture describes why Moore's Law is important to managers. Issues of price elasticity and future market disruptions are discussed through examples.
Posted by: John Gallaugher
Podcast: MI021 Lecture 13 - Moore's Law Part I 1.m4a
| @ April 22, 2008 11:46:19 AM EDT ( ) |
Google is introduced, particularly the AdWords & AdSense products. Students are also challenged to consider the vulnerabilities in this model – particularly as they relate to click-fraud and inappropriate ads served via AdSense. Note that the end of the Google lecture was lost do to a podcast recording error. Also note that our Google class speaker was not recorded for podcast.
Posted by: John Gallaugher
Podcast: MI021 Lecture 11 - Google Part II.m4a
| @ April 22, 2008 11:44:44 AM EDT ( ) |
Google is introduced, particularly the AdWords & AdSense products. Students are also challenged to consider the vulnerabilities in this model – particularly as they relate to click-fraud and inappropriate ads served via AdSense. Note that the end of the Google lecture was lost do to a podcast recording error. Also note that our Google class speaker was not recorded for podcast.
Posted by: John Gallaugher
Podcast: MI021 Lecture 10 - Google Part I (abbreviated due to quiz review).m4a
| @ April 22, 2008 11:42:50 AM EDT ( ) |
The NetFlix lecture is closed by examining trends that threaten the firm’s future – most notably video-on-demand and Internet-distributed video. The Google case is next introduced, including information on how the firm, public for roughly 3 ½ years, has gone on to earn more add dollars than any US television network or newspaper chain. Shows the impact technology can have on reaching customers & marketing spend.
Posted by: John Gallaugher
Podcast: MI021 Lecture 09 - Netflix end & Google Intro (abreviated due to quiz).m4a
| @ April 22, 2008 11:37:26 AM EDT ( ) |
Conventional wisdom is that startups will be crushed when established firms enter their market. Yet NetFlix has successfully fended off WalMart and Blockbuster. The firm began ’08 with stock price hitting a record high and increasing its guidance to analysts. This lecture discusses the uniqueness of NetFlix model, the Long Tail, how a startup can still have scale advantages vs. seemingly larger rivals, collaborative filtering, and crowdsourcing
Posted by: John Gallaugher
Podcast: MI021 Lecture 08 - Netflix.m4a
| @ March 31, 2008 6:24:21 PM EDT ( ) |
The lecture provides guidance on how to think about the 'first mover advantage' and the importance of technology to strategy (note: this file is in enhanced podcast format).
Posted by: John Gallaugher
Podcast: MI021 Lecture 07 - Strategy & Technology (final).m4a
| @ March 28, 2008 3:45:48 PM EDT ( ) |
This strategy & technology lecture gives examples of several strategic resources that can be created or enhanced by technology.
Posted by: John Gallaugher
Podcast: MI021 Lecture 06 - Strategy Part III.m4a
| @ March 28, 2008 3:40:46 PM EDT ( ) |
What determines winners from losers in the marketplace? When does a firm have a sustainable competitive advantage, and when is a firm likely to be copied or commoditized? This lecture introduces the concept of strategic positioning and discusses resources for competitive advantage through the use of several examples. Lecture also begins discussion of resources for competitive advantage (note: this file is in enhanced podcast format).
Posted by: John Gallaugher
Podcast: MI021 Lecture 05 - Strategy Part II.m4a
| @ March 28, 2008 3:34:36 PM EDT ( ) |
This portion of our strategy lecture offers an overview of multinational firms emerging from developing economies.
Posted by: John Gallaugher
Podcast: MI021 Lecture 04 - Globalization (and course deliverables).m4b
| @ March 28, 2008 3:33:35 PM EDT ( ) |
Second half of the Zara case, plus introduction to our strategy lectures (note: this file is in enhanced podcast format).
Posted by: John Gallaugher
Podcast: MI021 Lecture 03 - Zara End & Strategy & Tech Part I.m4a
| @ March 28, 2008 3:31:15 PM EDT ( ) |
Comparison of Gap vs. Inditex's Zara. Case covers how information systems enables a counter-intuitive, winning strategy in the fashion industry (note: this file is in enhanced podcast format).
Posted by: John Gallaugher
Podcast: MI021 Lecture 02 - Zara.m4a
| @ March 28, 2008 3:29:23 PM EDT ( ) |
This first lecture is a setup for the semester and is targeted at getting students to think broadly about the relationship between tech & business. Several examples are given demonstrating the pervasive impact of technology on various business disciplines. Since this is a Boston College course, students also learn the role BC alumni have played in the creation of products from Netscape to the iPod. (note: this file is in AAC format).
Posted by: John Gallaugher
Podcast: MI021 Lecture 01 - Course Introduction.m4a
| @ March 10, 2008 3:25:51 PM EDT ( ) |
Information on MI021 Computers in Management Podcasts - a first course in Management at the Carroll School of Management, Boston College. Includes information about how to access additional online materials and readings (note: this file is in enhanced podcast format for iPod and iTunes players).
Posted by: John Gallaugher
Podcast: mi021 Lecture 00 - Play Me First.m4a
| @ September 7, 2007 9:13:37 PM EDT ( ) |
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