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What is Lock-In

Chapter 24
Handbook of Research on Open Source Software: Technological, Economic, and Social Perspectives
In economics, denotes a situation in which a consumer cannot change his buying decision without incurring in high switching costs. For example, a user may be bound to a certain software provider for the services offered, by switching to another provider he may incur in high switching costs to change his system infrastructure.
Published in Chapter:
Evaluation of a Migration to Open Source Software
Bruno Rossi (Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Italy), Barbara Russo (Free University of Bozen-Balzano, Italy), and Giancarlo Succi (Free University of Bozen-Balzano, Italy)
Copyright: © 2007 |Pages: 18
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-59140-999-1.ch024
Abstract
The chapter discusses the adoption and assimilation process of open source software as a new form of information technology. Specifically, the case reports a general positive attitude towards the widely used technology, the OpenOffice.org suite for office automation. Nevertheless, it shows the difficulties of the first early adopters to lead the innovation process and push other users. Different usage patterns, interoperability issues, and, in general, the reduction in personal productivity typical of the early phases of adoption are also remarked. The aim of this chapter is to give the reader an overview of the adoption process by means of the analysis of quantitative and qualitative data gathered during real world experimentation, and to shed some light on how empirical data can corroborate or challenge the existing literature about open source software and technology adoption.
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Chapter 133
Network Effects and Market Outcomes
Describes a situation in which the cost of switching to another technology, even though it may be technically superior, is too large for the switch to take place.
Published in Chapter: Network Effects and Market Outcomes; From: Encyclopedia of Networked and Virtual Organizations
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