Information Rules - Hardcover

Shapiro, Carl; Varian, Hal R.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 087584863X ISBN 13: 9780875848631

Publisher: Harvard Business Review Press, 1998

Synopsis

In Information Rules, authors Shapiro and Varian reveal that many classic economic concepts can provide the insight and understanding necessary to succeed in the information age. They argue that if managers seriously want to develop effective strategies for competing in the new economy, they must understand the fundamental economics of information technology. Whether information takes the form of software code or recorded music, is published in a book or magazine, or even posted on a website, managers must know how to evaluate the consequences of pricing, protecting, and planning new versions of information products, services, and systems. The first book to distill the economics of information and networks into practical business strategies, Information Rules is a guide to the winning moves that can help business leaders navigate successfully through the tough decisions of the information economy.

About this title

About the Author

Carl Shapiro is the Transamerica Professor of Business Strategy, Haas School of Business and Department of Economics, UC Berkeley. From 1995 to 1996, he served as Deputy Assistant Attorney General of Economics, Antitrust Division, U.S. Department of Justice.

From the Back Cover

"An excellent book! Through a combination of clear, jargon-free English, and crisp, specific examples drawn from real life, Information Rules shows how economic principles apply in the age of the Internet."
--Andrew S. Grove, chairman of the board, Intel Corporation

"Long after today's fashionable management books have been consigned to the recycling bin, Information Rules will remain on the shelf, well-thumbed and often referenced."
--Paul Saffo, director, Institute for the Future

"Shapiro and Varian offer a superb introduction to the challenging and exciting new world of information technology, as well as the opportunities and problems that accompany it. Information Rules is a wonderful piece of work-both timely and right on the money."
--Robert Pitofsky, chairman of the Federal Trade Commission

"Forget Econ 101. Get a glimpse of Econ 2001--state-of-the-art ideas on how and when the market for information works, and what that means for business. Information Rules is an accessible, real-world, and ultimately practical guide."
--Barry Nalebuff, coauthor of Co-opetition, and the Milton Steinbach Professor of Management, Yale University School of Management

"This book develops excellent frameworks for a systematic analysis of the information economy. Shapiro and Varian explain key concepts such as lock-in, network externalities, and standards with great clarity and bring them to life through many fascinating and current examples. The reader emerges with a thorough understanding of the information economy. Full of powerful tools for strategic decision making, Information Rules is a valuable source for students, researchers, managers, and legislators."
--Philipp Afche, assistant professor of Managerial Economics and Decision Sciences, J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management, Northwestern University

"Information Rules-the indispensable battle manual for those on the front lines of the information revolution."
--Jay M. Tenenbaum, founder and chairman, Veo Systems, and founder and chairman, CommerceNet

"Information Rules is the first book to explain network economics, the new economics of our lives. Shapiro and Varian explain all the crazy things that we see happening everyday in Silicon Valley and other parts of the world. This book is a must-read for every business person in the new millennium."
--Eric Schmidt, CEO, Novell, Inc.

"I have not found a better field guide to the trench warfare of competition in the information age. Information Rules is an excellent asset for high-tech strategists. Skip that 'fog of war' feeling-read this book to find out exactly what your competitors are doing, and how you can make their nights sleepless as you compete for the future."
--Michael Dolbec, Vice President, Business Development, 3Com

Reviews

In this day and information age, it is all about those who are able to utilize the information they have to maximize potential, and these two University of California, Berkeley, professors have assembled the guide to do just that. The nuts-and-bolts approach to finding ways to differentiate one's product from all the others, and a how-to guide to simplify and improve customer interface, are both helpful, and the idea of managing intellectual properties to maximize value is infinitely superior to just protecting them from competitors. Some of the information delves into building positive feedback for the product, and every businessperson probably needs to know some of the legal ins and outs of building alliances and the ramifications of competition. Shapiro and Varian seem to be targeting the hard-core student of business here (not the casual browser); their approach is extremely thorough, and there is much practical information for those willing to wade through the information rules. Joe Collins

Edition details

• Publisher: Harvard Business Review Press
• Publication date: 1998
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 087584863X
• ISBN 13: 9780875848631
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 352