Cost-Justifying Usability, 2nd Edition

there are significant first-mover advantages for “pioneers in environments with

network effects, and firms with key patents.” Even for firms with these key attrib-

utes, on the Internet the effect of the first-mover advantage was not as great as

many entrepreneurs and investors expected.

Weiss (2000) provides historical information that market pioneers fail—47%

of companies that are first to market fail. Only 11% maintain a market leader

position several years later. First-movers have to educate the market. It can be

extremely difficult for first-movers with a new technology offering; customers

often do not understand revolutionary concepts. Although many of ...