The Role of Demand-side Characteristics in Legacy Technology Evolution How The Vinyl Record Got Its Groove Back

DOI: 10.5176/2251-2039_IE15.15

Authors: Natasha Vijay Munshi and Mirko Terrestre

Abstract: What allows for an almost extinct dominant design technology to re-emerge after a period of decline and capture market share? This paper explores the demand-side factors that trigger a legacy technology’s life cycle evolution. We study the 70-year old vinyl record industry to better understand how user preferences and demand-side conditions play a role in the renewed market demand for a legacy technology. (63)

Keywords: legacy technology life cycle; demand-side; dominant design; vinyl record (4)