CIRJE-J-78. Fujimoto, Takahiro, "A Note on the Concepts, Measurements, and Strategies of Product Architecture ", June 2002.

This exploratory paper deals with some basic concepts of architectural strategy, or application of the concept of architecture to strategic management, as well as the issue of measuring architecture. First, the paper discusses definitions and types of product architecture, including integral, modular, closed, and open types. It also points out hierarchical and continuous (spectrum) nature of product architecture, and discusses the issue of how to measure architecture. The paper then applies the concept of architecture to strategic management. The topics selected here include the fit between architecture and organizational capability, dual architectural strategy, architectural positioning strategy, and architectural portfolio strategy.