Tutorial 1
1. (based on Yoo et al. article): Take a look at the layered modular architecture in this figure:
a. Explain each of the four layers of the architecture of digital technology
First layer is the device layer, which consists of physical machinery, which is the computer hardware, such
as computers, and logical capability, such as OS. The second layer is the network layer, which consists of
physical transport, such as the cable, and the logical transmission, such as IP (network standard). The third
layer is the service layer, where you can see the application functionality, such as google. The fourth layer is
the content layer, where you can see the content, such as Text, fotos, sounds, metadata, ownership,
copyright, encoding method, content tags.
1. Content: includes data (FEX. texts, sounds, images and videos, that are stored and shared)
→ provides metadata and directory info about the content's origin, ownership, copyright,
encoding methods etc.
2. Service: create, manipulate, store and consume contents.
3. . Network: (a) logical transmission, protocols to keep the network running (FEX. IP of your
laptop/algorithms) - (b) physical transport, cables, radio spectrum, transmitters.
4. . Device: (a) physical machinery, computer hardware (FEX. laptop/servers) - (b) logical capability,
operating system, provides control and maintenance of the physical machine and connects the physical
machine to other layers (FEX. Windows/iOS).
b. Describe the four layers for Netflix.
1. Content: Movies/ series
2. Service : Download the movies
3. Network: Internet
4. Device: Laptop that you use to watch netflix
c. What is meant with product-agnostic components? Also think of some examples.
You don’t know how the components are combined with eachother. The design of a component
requires little product-specific knowledge. is interoperable with all products of a given type
FEX. Google Maps; this is not product-specific, because you can apply it to a lot of
different contexts and devices → can put it on a website to show the address of a
company, can be used in games, as navigation, etc. → all these products can use
Google Maps without adjusting it → this makes layered modular architecture different
from modular, because it does not have to be adjusted for different end services → a
mobile phone is modular, because the components of the phone do not fit on another
model, these are product-specific → product-agnostic or specific applies to
components, not to things as a whole, like apps.
, 2. (based on Hilty & Hercheui 2010 article): The figure below shows the 1st, 2nd and 3rd order
effects of digital innovation.
The 2nd order effects are fourfold:
─ Induction effect: ICT stimulates the consumption of another resource (e.g., a printer stimulates the
consumption of paper as it uses it faster than a typewriter).
─ Obsolescence effect: ICT can shorten the useful life of another resource due to incompatibility (a
device that is no longer supported by software updates is rendered obsolete).
─ Substitution effect: The use of ICT replaces the use of another resource (an ebook reader can
replace printed books, which is positive if it avoids the printing of a sufficiently large number of books).
─ Optimization effect: The use of ICT reduces the use of another resource (less energy is used for
heating in a smart home that knows where the people who live in it are located, which windows are
open, what weather is forecast, etc.).
(and regarding the 3rd order effects, the rebound effect refers to the reduction in environmental gains
from new technologies that increase the efficiency of resource use. For example, if people insulate
their homes, their energy bill goes down. Part of the savings are then used to consumer more energy
(maybe putting the thermostat one degree higher) or to spend money on different products are
services (for example, taking an extra holiday by plane).)
Peer-to-peer carsharing is based on an online platform where individual car owners can offer their car
for rent and renters can buy an insurance for a day via platforms such as SnappCar (check
www.snappcar.nl). People also meet in person as to exchange the key. Prices are pretty low and
lower than traditional rental companies. It is often claimed that with so many cars for rent at low
prices, many people do away their car, or second car, and rent a car instead when they need one.
a. What are the first-order environment effects of peer-to-peer online platforms for carsharing?