Sure, these technological improvements help in many ways. Our fast moving, globally networked economy simply was not possible a few years ago. But more often than not, the problem we’re facing isn’t a technological one, but a social one. Teaching, consulting, and working with executives across industries and geographies has provided me with lots of evidence of a simple truth: it’s not what technology you’ve got, but how you use it. MORE

Sebastian, an organization hacker, is the author of The Serendipity Machine - the inspiring story of the highly innovative, international coworking network Seats2meet.com. ” By opening its lounge to the growing network of independent professionals, Seats2meet.com began to build an interface between its business and the wealth of social networks. It is an attitude of openness and sharing that anyone operating within a social network needs to have anyway. MORE

But with more and more technologically disruptive change affecting our classrooms – through social media, wearable computing, Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), gamification, and so on – it’s time we shift away from the business school model of sage-on-a-stage. As business school professors, we always ask ourselves why we are needed. Because we train future leaders and shape how organizations create value for societies. But will students need us in the same capacity in the future? MORE

Social networking has evolved in various formats, using technological advances to allow people to communicate with their network in unique ways. These networks have infiltrated our workforce and have created numerous fluid dynamics in our workforce. Avid social networkers can now create a portfolio of jobs, without relying on one single employer. Leadership hr human resources social social networks vanderpyl MORE

Are there really global network economies? While network economies generally are regarded as critical to winning with platforms, they, like economies of scale, often seem to be overestimated by executives. From the perspective of globalization through platforms, it is essential to ask yourself whether network economies operate at the global, national, or local level. Do switching costs help sustain network advantages? MORE

They constantly generate new innovations; they use new networks to solve problems in an innovative manner, provided their interest is piqued. This generation grew up with social media and technologies-- they now expect their leaders to be inspiring, responsive, available and open. The network economy is going to be mainstream. As a leader, you must engage your Gen Y Digital Cowboys to expand your network of contacts to both retain and expand your company. MORE

Revenue moats are usually linked to intangible assets (including brands and patents), high switching costs, and network economies. In some cases, companies’ moats have enabled them to survive multiple technology disruptions and industry shifts over time, making their founders some of richest people in the world: think Bill Gates, Carlos Slim, Amancio Ortega, and Larry Ellison. STEVEN MOORE FOR HBR. MORE

Businesses across the world have become an integral part of the networked economy. All of this, at the same time, creates a network of risks. All businesses in this network will have to rely on their partners that they can identify, manage, and reduce risks. It will push risk analysis toward the use of technology and software solutions. The technology is already here. Bottom-line performance is a vital aspect of any business. MORE