Playfulness, ideology and the technology of foolishness in the creation of a novel market niche for distributed control: The case of iPLON

Annachiara Casalini, Guido Fioretti and Andreas Pyka
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Annachiara Casalini: University of Bologna

Journal of Organization Design, 2016, vol. 5, issue 1, 1-16

Abstract: Abstract Distributed control is a technology and a design philosophy that, albeit superior to centralized control, cannot spread because it would require restructuring existing industries. It survives, however, in specific market niches. In this case-study we report on a small firm creating a novel market niche for distributed control. It is an engineering firm, where commitment to a fascinating technology generates the ability to turn serendipitous encounters into business opportunities. Because of deep beliefs motivating people to commit their lives in spite of substantial difficulties, we speak of a technological ideology. We submit that, in this case, a technological ideology is key to explain the ability to explore novel possibilities, or the technology of foolishness according to James March.

Keywords: Technology of foolishness; Playfulness; Technological ideology; Distributed control; Internet of things; Market niche (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
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DOI: 10.1186/s41469-016-0008-4

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