Back to the Future: The Evolution of Sun Microsystems' Business Model (1982 to 2007)

Henry W. Chesbrough, Margarita Constantinides

This case study outlines the time period between 1982 and 2007 of Sun Microsystems. The case showcases the company's long history with open source software and open innovation, as well as its history of proprietary software and proprietary technology. With the company's announcement in 2006 that it would make much of its proprietary software available under open source terms, the company was again re-entering an open innovation phase, with the hope that the strategy would drive adoption of its software and thus increase revenue and profitability. By 2007, Sun Microsystems seemed to be on a path back to its more open technology roots and the case study ends at that point in the company's history.

Learning Objective

The main case study objective is to teach students how to think through open innovation during a longer period of history within a well-known company, Sun Microsystems. The case study allows students to map the history of Sun while evaluating its various shifts from an open approach to a more proprietary approach.

Details: 

Pub Date: Dec 1, 2008

Discipline: Strategy

Subjects: Corporate strategy, Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Technology, Venture capital

Source: UC Berkeley - Haas School of Business

Product #: B5689-PDF-ENG

Teaching note: Available

Industry: Technology, Venture capital

Length: 19 page(s)