Market Structure Analysis Argumentative Essay Example

software respectively. The introduction of Microsoft Windows 3 marked a significant milestone in Microsoft's journey.

1 During the 1990s, Microsoft became the leading software monopoly by introducing Excel 3. for Windows and Word for Windows 2.0. Sadly, Lotus and WordPerfect were not aware of the significant impact that Windows 3. would have.

Gleick (1995) claimed that Microsoft did not foresee the impact of the Internet on the industry and failed to adequately plan for its evolution. There are allegations that Microsoft used its dominance in the operating system and graphical user interface markets to drive growth in applications. Some executives within the company even mentioned a "Chinese Wall" where certain developers received early access to the operating system, giving them an advantage over other companies (Gleick 1995). Additionally, Microsoft faced criticism for granting exclusive access to their new technology, OLE (object linking embedding), only to Excel 3 upon its introduction in Windows.

Initially, only Microsoft developers were able to integrate the technology into Excel, giving them a head start over their competitors in creating similar applications. This allowed Microsoft's applications to work with each other before other companies had the opportunity to offer comparable solutions. When Windows 3.1 was introduced, enhancing version 3, Microsoft further solidified their dominance in the application market. As a result, Microsoft's Excel, Word, and Office began to reign supreme, establishing their monopoly empire.

During the 1990s, Microsoft expanded its range of products beyond application and operating systems. In addition to multimedia and business operation systems, they also ventured into games and online services. One controversial move was their attempted acquisition of Intuit, a software company that owns Quicken, the popular personal finance manager. This

raised concerns about their business practices. Microsoft's bundling of Windows 95 with The Microsoft Network also posed a threat to competitors by creating barriers and inhibiting innovation and competition throughout the industry. By leveraging its dominant position in the operating systems market, Microsoft successfully grew into the powerful company it is today.

A combination of successful business strategies, poor decisions made by competitors, and the exercise of its newfound power by Microsoft have rendered the company unbeatable by rivals. Throughout our nation's history, we have witnessed various instances of monopolies, which have often hindered innovation. In the realm of computer systems, innovation is crucial for staying ahead in the market. IBM serves as a noteworthy example, as its business split paved the way for numerous new enterprises that ultimately benefited society. Consequently, if Microsoft is compelled to divide itself, it remains to be seen whether this action will bring about positive societal impact. The splitting of Microsoft would grant opportunities to aspiring entrepreneurs, potentially allowing them to introduce the next groundbreaking operating system.