ESCS - Teses de Doutoramento

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Influence of network effects on the diffusion of information systems: the case of open source
Publication . Ferreira do Rosário, João; Reis, António Palma dos
ABSTRACT: In the actual world with the importance of the Information Systems in the socioeconomic infrastructure, becomes relevant the study of this market. This thesis tried it, on the supply side through the feedback of some of the main software suppliers and on the demand side through the study of a sample of companies. The subject of study was the Operating Systems and Office Suites for personal computers and the analysis of competition between Open Source Software and Proprietary Software, although the thesis hypotheses and conclusions may extend to other software categories. On the market supply side we concluded that in the competition between two business models, Open Source Software and Proprietary Software, both can create innovation and ensure the survival in the market of the companies that use these business models. On the demand side, we concluded that in this market factors other than brand image, product features or price have influence in the purchasing decision. Factors like network effects, switching costs or lock-in have influence in the buying decision protecting the incumbent and decreasing the market competition level, making it difficult for the competitive alternatives based only on offer and price to gain market share to the incumbent.
2011-06Doctoral thesis Open access Show more