Geoffrey G. Parker Quote
A broader view of platform governance uses insights borrowed from the practices of nation-states as modeled by constitutional law scholar Lawrence Lessig. In Lessig’s formulation, systems of control involve four main sets of tools: laws, norms, architecture, and markets.20 A familiar example can be used to clarify these four kinds of tools. Suppose leaders of a particular ecosystem want to reduce the harmful effects of smoking. Laws could be passed to ban cigarette sales to minors or forbid smoking in public spaces. Norms—informal codes of behavior shaped by culture—could be applied by using social pressure or advertising to stigmatize smoking and make it appear uncool. Architecture could be used to develop physical designs that reduce the impact of smoking—for example, air filters that clean the air, or smokeless devices that substitute for cigarettes. And market mechanisms could be used by taxing tobacco products or subsidizing quit smoking programs. Historically, those who want to control social behavior—including platform managers—have employed all four of these tools.
A broader view of platform governance uses insights borrowed from the practices of nation-states as modeled by constitutional law scholar Lawrence Lessig. In Lessig’s formulation, systems of control involve four main sets of tools: laws, norms, architecture, and markets.20 A familiar example can be used to clarify these four kinds of tools. Suppose leaders of a particular ecosystem want to reduce the harmful effects of smoking. Laws could be passed to ban cigarette sales to minors or forbid smoking in public spaces. Norms—informal codes of behavior shaped by culture—could be applied by using social pressure or advertising to stigmatize smoking and make it appear uncool. Architecture could be used to develop physical designs that reduce the impact of smoking—for example, air filters that clean the air, or smokeless devices that substitute for cigarettes. And market mechanisms could be used by taxing tobacco products or subsidizing quit smoking programs. Historically, those who want to control social behavior—including platform managers—have employed all four of these tools.
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About Geoffrey G. Parker
His current research includes studies of platform business strategy, data governance, and technical/economic systems to integrate distributed energy resources.
Parker is Professor of Engineering and Director, Master of Engineering Management, (MEM) Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth College, the first national research university to graduate a class of engineers with more women than men. He has set the Thayer School of Engineering apart with the introduction of Data Analytics and Platform Design classes, emphasizing the business aspects of engineering and giving engineers the background they need to be business innovators and entrepreneurs. Parker is part of a unique culture that is breaking gender barriers.
Parker is also a Faculty Fellow at MIT and the MIT Center for Digital Business. Parker is co-author of the book Platform Revolution, which was included among the 16 must-read business books for 2016 by Forbes.